Bike donation to help cycling efforts
In recent news in the Bay Weekend and the Whakatane Beacon, Ross Gilchrist was interviewed as part of the story on the donation of ByK Kids Bikes to the Cycle Action Whakantane programme.
Cycling has become more accessible to young children through the Eastern Bay thanks to a donation of children's bicycles to Cycle Action Whakatane.
The six new ByK Bikes were recently gifted to the organisation by Ross Gilchrist, the general manager of Bay of Plenty-based company Adventure Brands who distribute ByK, Bauer and Jamis bicycles.
"For many years we have supported community initiatives and events to promote cycling and the community at large," Mr Gilchrist said. "We are pleased to be able to donate six ByK children's bicycles to support Cycle Action Whakatane to ultimately get more children cycling through the Bikes in Schools programme.
"The benefits already experienced in other areas, wehre these bikes are in schools, have been widespread for the children and community including health, attention in class, academic achievement, building of self esteem and confidence along with road safety, as the children develop bike and life skills. We consider these results as extrememly positive locally and nationally.
"We will continue to support Cycle Action Whakatane with this programme. Some of our members are now working in schools throughout the region, teaching cycling and road safety skills, through the support of Sport Bay of Plenty and the Eastern Bay Road Safety Commitee."
A consistent barrier to the children's learning and active participation had been due to lack of bicycles, Mr Hamer said.
"This fantastic donation removes that barrier and will mean more children learning to ride confidently and safely."
The ByK bicycles provded are the same as the 60 which will be permanently placed in Apanui School as part of the Cycle Action Whakantane's Bikes in Schools pilot project.