Bikes in Schools
Why Bikes in Schools?
Over the last 20 years, there have been a dramatic fall in biking by New Zealand primary school children. This has resulted in many children not being able to experience “the joy of biking” and the many social and health impacts that result from biking regularly.
- Between 1990 and 2014 the average time biked by New Zealand’s 5-12yr olds has fallen from 28 minutes per week to just 4 minutes per week. (Ministry of Transport 2015)
- Between 1990 and 2014 the average distance biked by New Zealand’s 5-12yr olds has fallen from 2.8 km per week to just 0.5 km per week. (Ministry of Transport 2015)
What is the main directly measurable impact of the Bikes in Schools?
Regular access to and the riding of a bike goes from approximately 30% of the students to 100% of the students. This impact is both immediate and measurable.
What are the other positive impacts of Bikes in Schools?
Feedback from Principals, teachers, parents, cycle skills providers and students continually state that it;
- Raises the confidence, self-esteem and resilience of pupils through a fun activity
- Delivers health and wellbeing outcomes for the pupils (and staff)
- Provides an opportunity to self-manage risks within a safe environment
- Instils the habit of using an environmentally friendly form of transportation
- Results in the children and extended family biking more often
- Pupils gain knowledge, skills and confidence to ride safely for when they ride outside the school area
