Bike the Bridge offers new challenge to cycling-crazy students

The cycling-mad students at Belmont Intermediate School (BIS) will be facing a new challenge on 15^th November, riding across Auckland’s iconic Harbour Bridge twice in the same day as they take part in Bike the Bridge.
 
Around 200 students cycle to Belmont every day, which gives BIS the highest number of students per capita cycling to school anywhere in Auckland and probably in the whole of New Zealand.
 
They are in the fourth year of their partnership with Auckland Transport through the Travelwise programme, which has supplied the now-mandatory high-vis vests and organised cycle training days to make sure that students are aware of the rules of the road and know how to cycle safely. These initiatives are aimed at making even more parents feel confident about allowing their children to cycle to school, with the aim of growing the number of regular cyclists even further.
 
Travelwise co-ordinator Alex Elton-Farr is delighted with the way that Belmont teachers and students have responded. “It’s great to have a school so on-board with the promotion of health, fitness and the supporting of sustainable transport options,” he said.
 
Bike the Bridge, New Zealand’s second largest cycling event, is supported by Auckland Transport’s Walking and Cycling team. It gives thousands of cyclists of all ages and abilities the once-a-year opportunity to ride across the Harbour Bridge, while raising money for its chosen charity the Multiple Sclerosis Society. There’s a new family-friendly format this year, with a 7km course, which can be ridden in one direction or both, giving riders aged 11 and over the opportunity to Bike the Bridge twice in the same day. Riders of any age can enjoy the 4km Bike The Busway Family Loop
 
Belmont students will be taking part for the first time this year, inspired by their new road cycling programme, which has been initiated by their strong relationship with Takapuna Grammar School (TGS) – one of the country’s leading cycling colleges – whose parents have helped with the formation of the team. BIS has enjoyed some tremendous results in its first year of competition, winning the North Harbour Tour at their first attempt.
 
Belmont parent Jan McPheat says that this has only been possible with some tremendous parental backing. “We’ve had really good support from the parents of the kids, because we involve all the families. So you’re not going to sit on the sideline, drop your kid and walk away, you’re coming and being a part of it, helping us coach and if you can’t do that then you’re baking for events. We’ve also had some amazing help from Kiwi Velo, who have offered coaching and discounts on bike equipment.”
 
One of the Takapuna Grammar parents who offered their assistance was Bike the Bridge founder Callum McNair, who donated drink bottles and starter packs to get people involved in the team. This link with the event has spurred BIS into action and Jan is hoping for a good turnout on the day.
 
“We see it as a family friendly race, especially with the new format, and because the organisers were so supportive of cycling in schools we want to get people involved,” she added.
 
“We are hoping to get a really good representation to encourage people into the sport. We have a lot of parents who haven’t ridden before and they look at an event like Bike the Bridge and are encouraged to get on a bike with their child. They see is as a lot of fun and their kids are saying “C’mon Mum, C’mon Dad” and everyone seems to know about it now thanks to Callum and his team. We do see a lot of families who have done it before and you watch them come across the finish line and they all feel like they have achieved something.”
 
Those sentiments are echoed by Belmont Intermediate School teacher Wendy Hay, one of the driving forces behind cycling at the school. “An event like Bike the Bridge is great because it brings together our students who ride to school and our Road Cycling Group,” she said. “It also highlights our ethos of promoting the importance of a healthy lifestyle for emerging adolescents.
 
“The safety of the community we live in means that many parents feel confident allowing their children to cycle to school, so we have had been lucky enough to have a strong cycling base for some time. Nick Hill, our Principal, plus an enthusiastic and committed group of TGS cycling parents got together last year to develop the idea of a BIS road cycling group.
 
“We have had the invaluable support of Sharon Davies and the TGS cycling team throughout the year, which has meant that we have been able to draw on their extensive experience. There has been a lot of work put in this year, but the response from the students and their parents has been fantastic.”

The Bike the Busway family loop is open to riders of all ages. Riders aged 11 and over can Bike the Bridge, to register go to: http://www.bikethebridge.co.nz/.