AusCycling launches AusBike, the new bike education program to get kids back on bikes

AusCycling today announced AusBike, a new bike education program designed to give kids aged 5 to 12 the foundational skills needed to build their confidence and competence, so they can enjoy a life of freedom and adventure on two wheels.

Backed by the Australian Government, through the Australian Sports Commission, AusBike aims to get Aussie kids back on their bikes. The program has been designed by expert coaches and is based on the CORE4Skills, an evidence-based framework for developing, practicing and embedding fundamental bike skills.

As well as providing an important life skill, AusCycling hopes that AusBike will help reverse the alarming decline in the national rate of active travel to school, which has plunged from 75% to 25% in the past 40 years.

This, along with a general decline in sport participation and incidental activity through outdoor play, has had a significant impact on the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of Australian children.

AusBike will take kids on a progressive journey aimed at building the fundamental skills, awareness and confidence to ride safely. It will be delivered nationally by accredited instructors through cycling and riding clubs, leisure centres and private coaches from Term 4, with plans to extend the program to schools from 2024.

The program caters for kids of all levels of bike riding experience – whether they’re just off training wheels or further down the track with their cycling journey.

More than 5,000 kids have already experienced AusBike through its pilot phase, through partnerships with Belgravia Leisure, YMCA Camps and AusCycling’s club network.

Further information about the program, participant registration and applications for delivery partners are all available at ausbike.au.

The Minister for Sport, Annika Wells

AusCycling Chief Executive Officer, Marne Fechner:
“With such a staggering decline in active travel to school, we believe AusBike will help to not only build confidence, but also see people fall in love with bike riding again and see participation in activity grow.

“We’ve involved a broad range of experts to develop this program to ensure it is beneficial for both Australian children and their parents, and we know AusBike will set the standard for introductory programs for sport participation.”

Michelle Bridges – health and fitness expert and mother of Axel (7 years old):
“As a mum, we all want our kids to have a happy and healthy life. And in my career, I know having the backing of experts and available resources is the most beneficial way to educate people on the importance of health and wellbeing.

“Having my son enrolled in AusBike allows him to learn how to ride a bike correctly, gets him moving and being active, all while having some fun at the same time, and I know that with the accredited coaches he is being taught the right way to ride to not only build confidence on two wheels, but to do it safely.”

The Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:
“Being active and outdoors on a bike has immense mental and physical health benefits but sadly fewer kids are experiencing the joys of riding a pushy.

“The more opportunities children have to enjoy the great outdoors the better and AusBike is about learning to ride safely, developing lifelong skills and make friends along the way.

“Our $2,050,000 investment in AusBike will help produce a new generation of experienced and confident bike riders.”

The Australian Sports Commission Chief Executive Officer, Kieren Perkins:
“The ASC is proud to support programs like AusBike that help Australians get active and enjoy the physical, mental and social health benefits that being involved in sport and physical activity brings.”

“We believe that sport has a place for everyone and by catering for children at any stage of their bike riding journey, AusBike will encourage children that may not have hopped on a bike before to give cycling a go.”

“We’ve seen swimming lessons become an important part of childhood and we’ve got the opportunity to ensure the next generation of Australians see the importance of also learning to ride in a similar way.”

“Logan Martin’s BMX freestyle gold at Tokyo two years ago, and major events on home soil like the 2022 UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong are helping show Australians of all ages what’s possible on two wheels and inspire the next generation to ride safely and have fun.”

The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) is the Australian Government agency responsible for supporting and investing in sport at all levels. Their role is to increase involvement in sport and enable continued international sporting success through leadership and development of the sports sector, targeted financial support and the operation of the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

AusCycling is the national sporting organisation responsible for the development, facilitation and growth of all forms of cycling in Australia, representing over 55,000 members and 450 cycling clubs across BMX, Mountain Bike, Para-Cycling, Road and Track. We’re here to inspire and ensure that future generations experience the simple joy of riding a bike, and the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Images: AusCycling