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Children’s bicycle education gets Bunnings support

By Latrobe Shire Council - 14th September 2004 - Back to News

The children’s bicycle education program being undertaken through the Hazelwood Power Children’s traffic school in Brisbane Street Morwell has received a boost, with Bunnings Warehouse Morwell recently contributing significant support to the Bike Ed Challenge.

In acknowledging the $5,500 funding, Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Darrel White, said the generous donation would benefit children across the Gippsland region, by encouraging them to learn bicycle skills to the competition stage.

"Hundreds of Gippsland’s primary school children in grades 4, 5 and 6 have been competing over the past few weeks in local Bike Ed Challenge heats, with Latrobe City children undertaking their local finals last Wednesday," Cr White explained.

"While obviously, all the children had their eyes set on qualifying for the regional and state finals and being state winners, the important thing is that during the process of taking part in the competition, they have all learned important aspects of being safe on the road. These are lessons that stay with a person for life," Cr White said.

"Latrobe City will be hosting the 2004 Gippsland regional finals in October and the Victorian State Bike Ed finals in November this year. It means we will have played an important role in furthering safety on the road not only locally and in Gippsland, but all over the state. We are very pleased that Bunnings Warehouse has come on board the Bike Ed Challenge with their generous support," Cr White said.

Latrobe City’s Manager Community Safety, Henk Harberts, said primary school aged children account for around 10% of the total population of Latrobe City.

"Every school day, these children are either driven, walk or ride to school; consequently these children have to learn how to survive in traffic. Bicycle skills are an important part of this survival. Latrobe Regional Hospital data shows that these same aged children are over represented in both emergency and admissions as a result of their foray into traffic, so anything we can do to reduce the likelihood of injury is vital," Mr Harberts said.

Manager of Bunnings Morwell, Ms Angela McDonald, said that Bunnings Morwell strives to be an integral part of the community and is proud to be a part of the bike education program that is run by the Latrobe City.

"I have seen first hand the enjoyment Latrobe children have at the Children’s Traffic School in Morwell. If we can be a part of teaching kids safety and knowing they can have fun as well, we all win," Ms McDonald said.

Traffic Safety Educator, Michael Morgan, said that since the 1960’s, the Traffic School has enabled young children in Latrobe’s community to gain confidence and skills in adapting to roadway usage and traffic hazards, in a safe and controlled environment.

"The Children’s Traffic School was initiated by the community with private and public funds and has enjoyed continual community support since then. The facility consists of a miniature roadway and traffic signalling suitable for children aged 3 to 13 years and is regularly used by playgroups, primary and pre schools and for private functions," Mr Morgan said.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com