BikeNZ Learn to Ride Program Settles in Southland

Southland children are being given the opportunity to become cycling superstars with the BikeNZ Learn to Ride program being launched in primary schools this term.

Eight schools are involved in the regional pilot of this program, funded by Kiwi Sport, which will see nearly two hundred seven and eight year olds taught to ride.

Six instructors have been trained to deliver this course including Matt Archibald, a member of the BikeNZ High Performance sprint squad and the Cycling Southland Development Officer.
“After our first couple of sessions it looked like we were going to struggle with such a huge mix in abilities and confidence, with some year four students having never ridden a bike!” said Archibald.

“Within our very first week it was great to see these young kids getting so much enjoyment out of cycling right from our first session. It’s not hard to see the sense of achievement on their beaming faces as they begin to master their bikes. After just one session a number of kids had, for the first time, pedalled their bikes without assistance, this is a huge compliment to this programme.”

“Our ultimate aim, once we successfully pilot the programme and tweak it as we go, is to see this rolled out across all of Southland. It’s a great first taste of our sport for local school children and just like swimming, running, jumping and throwing, it is a fundamental skill that we believe all Southland children should master.”

“Plus we might uncover a few new Tom Scully’s in the process!”

This is the most coordinated Learn to Ride program to be run in Southland.

The BikeNZ Learn to Ride is currently being run in the Waikato, Hawke’s Bay and Bay of Plenty. Over 1400 children have been taught to ride since the program’s inception last year. The program is gradually being rolled out nationwide.