Roslyn School Project

Despite the current ‘cost of living challenges’ facing all community events, Bike Manawatu is 100% committed to ensuring the 51st year of the Novice Tour – once again provides a safe, fun, competitive cycle racing event.

We will adopt a high-quality assured approach in implementing the Local Roading Authority’s/Cycling New Zealand’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) standards which ensure best practices and rider and spectator safety.

If the level of community funding secured is not sufficient to contract in external road management service providers with the ability to stop/go traffic, the Novice Tour will proceed on a ‘local club racing’ model, whereby our team of trained/experienced road marshals will, where necessary, pause racing in order to give way to traffic and ensure rider safety.

Although funding external road management services with the ability to stop/go traffic is ideal, if this is not feasible – we are confident that the event’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) will provide a competitive, fair, enjoyable and importantly safe racing environment.

Irrespective of which model of traffic management/racing is finalised, as with all CNZ/Bike Manawatu events, normal road rules will apply and a full rider briefing confirming the event rules will be provided to all riders prior to the start of each race.

Photos thanks to David Wiltshire. The kid’s names are Danielle O’Hara (aged 8) and Jake Milford (aged 8).

An approach was made to Bike Manawatu at the beginning of 2014 to assist in a project at Roslyn School. The project was run by Massey University’s Dr Carlene Starck and assisted by Sport Manawatu’s Phil Stevens where a group of 70 +children were tested and then each week over the following two terms given bike lessons , for some it was adding to their knowledge and bike skills but for 3 young students, they actually learnt how to ride a bike.

The study concluded with further tests to find out if riding a bike did actually improve fitness in this age group. And of course the answer was yes.

The bikes were supplied by Massey University and Bike Manawatu supplied the helmets. From Bike Manawatu’s perspective it was a great initiative to be able to support this project and get more kids actively involved in cycling. It is hoped that these kids will continue to bike as either a form of transport to and from school or perhaps later as a sport.

It is hoped that the programme will now be taken up and supported by other schools and supported by businesses and organisations throughout the community.