Bike donation for Whakarewarewa School

Students with the new bikes. Photos: Rotorua Lakes Facebook.

Students at Whakarewarewa School now have more opportunity to get on a bike.

Bike Barn dropped off six bikes as part of its Bike it Forward initiative last week.

Chief Executive of Bikes International Craig Robertson says the Bike it Forward initiative has become part of the company's DNA and 'an ongoing campaign to support the health and wellness of children across New Zealand”.

'Many of us have bikes that our kids have outgrown that are taking up space in the garage, so we're asking people to donate those bikes to the Bike it Forward campaign so that we can encourage more kids to live a healthy and active lifestyle through cycling,” he says.

Bike Barn Rotorua had received donations of unwanted bikes, which were refurbished and in need of new homes.

The local store reached out to Rotorua Lakes Council, where the Bikes in School facilitator connected them with Whakarewarewa School.

"We're delighted to be able to provide support for the children at Whakarewarewa School and welcome further donations from the Rotorua community," Craig says.

Since the launch Bike Barn has had more than 250 bikes donated which have been refurbished and given to children and schools across the country.

Bikes in Schools is a nationwide initiative to increase rates of children being able to experience riding a bike.

Whakarewarewa School principal Hinei Taute says the school has recently signed up to Bikes in Schools

We are all excited to help provide this opportunity for our students. We have the perfect setting for our students to either ride on a smooth road track or do some off roading within the perimeter of our school that takes them through uneven terrain and beautiful tree scenery.

She says the donation of bikes from Bike Barn gives students the opportunity to engage in cycling where they may not have had the opportunity before.

'There are many societal challenges out there and this helps to bridge the gap. This is for all students and therefore equitable.”

She says the school was 'really excited” about the donation but still needed support from the community.

'I will be asking for volunteers from our school community to help with maintenance of the bikes.”

Background

Rotorua Lakes Council within its overall effort to encourage our young to bike to school employs a 'Bikes in Schools” facilitator. The position is responsible to provide bike education programmes and helping schools to set up and maintain their bikes and tracks. This position is funded by the 'Bike On” trust.

Under this programme, each school secures its own funding, and this can come from a range of sources including community groups, trusts, public and private businesses, Government agencies and the school community.

Today's bike presentation was part of Bike Barn's ‘Bike it Forward' campaign. This is a scheme where people can give their older bikes to Bike Barn. Bike Barn will then refurbish them and give them to kids who don't own a bike.

The Rotorua store contacted Council, and the Bikes in Schools facilitator helped arrange this donation of bikes to Whakarewarewa School.

If schools are interested in Bikes in Schools or want more information contact Rotorua Lakes Council on cycling@rotorualc.nz.

You may also like....

0 comments

Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.