The Rotary Club of Bairnsdale Sunrise, for the past 12 months, has been fundraising to build a Bike and Mobility Education Track at Tulaba’s Park, adjacent to Lucknow Primary School and preschool.
The East Gippsland Shire Council has made this possible by awarding
them a Community Smarty grant last year to get the
project started.
Having carried out research with schools, the Local Active Transport Group, cycling clubs and local organisations realised there was a significant absence of safe venues in East Gippsland Shire to allow training and practice on a suitable track with line-markings and road signage to encourage young bike riders to learn skills to stay safe.
“East Gippsland is fortunate to have some of the best bike tracks and trails in Victoria and this project will help to bring back bike education sessions in local primary schools and preschools,” Anne Cross, chair of the Sunrise Rotary Bike Education Track committee, said.
“The need to improve safety for young cyclists is apparent on increasingly busy roads.
“With the present high rate in phone and computer usage in the young, it is
vital we can offer alternative very cheap, accessible
recreation to increase fitness and fun.
“Riding is an important means to encourage people of all ages to become and remain active throughout their life. There is no facility like is in our region to teach safe riding and it will also be used to help those on mobility scooters to practise and improve their skills.
“This year our Rotary Club have been busy raising funds to construct the track. We have now raised over $30,000 with the help of the Winter Gala earlier in the year, a grant from Eastwood Village Shopping centre, our Howitt Park Market and at present we are in the community selling raffle tickets.
“We hope you can help these efforts by purchasing tickets so that next
year we can complete this great project.”
