“I’ve seen first-hand how it can make real, lasting changes”: Bikes for Schools returns in 2023

Are you a parent and would love your kids to experience the joy and independence of riding a bike? Or are you a teacher who knows that access to a bike can be life-changing for students?

Ride Nation’s Bikes for Schools is entering its final year of being fully-funded, and interested teachers and parents are encouraged to get in touch while the program is still freely available.

Schools involved in the program can look forward to sharing in an experience that has positively impacted students throughout Australia, such as:

• Wewak Street School on the NSW-Victorian border, where Bikes for Kids helped students with intellectual disabilities achieve newfound confidence.
• Maitland Tenambit BMX Club, where the local BMX club worked with Revolve ReCYCLING and three schools in the Hunter Valley region to create local bike libraries.

Practical applications that enable positive, lasting outcomes are at the heart of Bikes for Schools, AusCycling Executive General Manager of Participation Products Nicole Adamson explained.

“The first thing teachers and parents often realise about the Bikes for Schools program is how easy the process is when they come on board. Support is provided every step of the way, and there is almost zero cost to the school or students,” Adamson said.

“But the bigger realisation is how the program can have a profound, long-term impact on students. Bike building and maintenance develops communication and teamwork skills, while the bike education sessions promote independence and confidence.

“I’ve seen first-hand how Bikes for Schools can make real, lasting changes to the lives of students.”

Want students at your school to share in these same opportunities? Here’s everything you need to know about Bikes for Schools.

What is bike education, and why is it important?

Bike riding is an important life skill that has benefits for health and wellbeing, independence, physical literacy, and most importantly of all, it’s good fun!

What is Bikes for Schools?

We’re on a mission to ensure every Australian child has access to bike education.

One of the key barriers to providing bike education in a school setting is equitable access to bikes for all students. To address this barrier, we are working with schools and communities to create libraries of donated bikes that are owned by schools and can be used by all students.

As part of the program, AusCycling will also provide Foundation Instructor training to teachers and parents, so bike education can be embedded as part of the day-to-day activities at the school.

What will my school need?

Enthusiasm and passion for implementing bike education in the school from a key decision-maker is necessary. The school will also require:

• A space to store the school bikes undercover.
• Teachers and/or parents who are interested in undertaking instructor training that takes about five hours.
• A community relationship that can be activated to provide the basics of bike maintenance, or a group of students that would like to take this on.
• A small budget for accessories including spare helmets, a pump, and spare tyres. AusCycling can assist with a list to guide this, and some partners if needed to fulfill it.

What will AusCycling provide?

With the support of the Rapha Foundation, we can provide the following for partner schools:

• The framework and setting up of a bike donation day, or creating a connection with a partner that will accept and repurpose donated bikes to create the library.
• Facilitate the connection with community mentors to lead the donation drive and ensure donated bikes are in good working order.
• Access to the online instructor training course and conduct the practical session and assessment onsite at the school.
• Lesson plans and resources for the Ride Nation bike education program.
• Ongoing support for the school to keep providing bike education for all students.

How do I find out more?

If you're interested in receiving free accreditation and a donation of bikes, head to the Bikes for Schools website.