Wednesday June 29 2016

Junior Cycle Park to develop road safety skills in young riders

‘To give young cyclists life-saving road skills and contribute to a reduction in life threatening accidents involving local cyclists.’

That is the Wainui Lions Club vision for the Junior Cycle Park they will be bringing to Gisborne.
It all started with a visit to the kids bike park in Napier. Wainui Lions could instantly see the benefits such a facility could deliver to the Gisborne community.

In 2015 the Wainui Lions made a submission to Council and were successful in receiving $100,000 toward the cost of building the park.

A site feasibility study was undertaken, with the Adventure Playground across from the Olympic Pools winning the selection. The site is close to the Oneroa cycle and walkway and is also proposed cycle network Council intend to develop as part of the ten year plan.

Oneroa cycle and walkway is about to tender for an extension to be constructed along Beacon Street, to link it to the Alfred Cox cycle and walkway. This will provide greater access to beachfront recreational activities from more parts of the city.

The Beacon Street link will extend the Oneroa cycle and walkway by 500m featuring raised pedestrian crossings and a concrete path to Awapuni School. Construction is due to start at the end of July.

Linking our cycleway’s creates a network which will help the community get to more recreation spots safely.” Said Environment and Regulatory Services Group Manager Kevin Strongman, “The Olympic Pool, the beach and the new Junior Cycle Track will be great attractions… Council fully support the work that the Wainui Lions are doing”

The bike park promises to deliver a controlled environment in which children can encounter real-life cycling situations, focussing on road safety. It will be a facility that can be used year round by the community groups, schools, preschools and families and is bound to be an asset for visitors to the region during in the holiday season.

Mayor Meng Foon extended his thanks to the Wainui Lion for a tremendous effort and great vision for the cycle track proposal, “They have my full support, and I look forward to the project being built for our younger ones, getting them ready to ride safely on our roads.”

A survey conducted by Wainui Lions received excellent feedback about the ride park with some saying:

‘It’s an awesome place for kids to learn the road rules from an early age while having fun’

‘An excellent park, we like to get the kids outside and away from the TV – the track is fantastic’

‘Amazing facility, well worth the investment’

The Napier park has been extremely popular, with more almost 60% of those surveyed visiting on a regular basis. With these encouraging figures, Wainui Lions are confident that the park is indeed a worthy investment for the Gisborne and have nearly completed their Funding applications to the appropriate National Funders.

Wainui Lions spokesperson Russell Hathaway reported “We are now entering the 2nd phase of Fund raising which involves seeking financial support for the Project from local Business’s & Individuals. This will include offering a tangible acknowledgement of that support at the Cycle Park.”

Due to approaches from members of the community, Wainui Lions have also set up a GiveALittlePage page www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/wainuilionsjuniorcyclepark for those who would like to contribute.

If you would like to find out any further information, head to the Wainui Lions website or Facebook page www.facebook.com/wainuilions.

ENDS

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