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"Safe Cycling" Says The Walking School Bus!

With the Great Victorian Bike Ride going through the Shire this weekend, Bass Coast has been focused on cycling.

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 26th November 2007 - Back to News

Bass Coast Shire Council’s Walking School Bus Facilitator, Don Turner, is taking part in the big Ride and has been very busy in the build-up.

Between training rides, Don has visited all 11 schools with primary age students, to deliver a safe cycling message.

"We talked about how bright coloured clothing helps other road users see cyclists," said Mr Turner.

"We discussed why helmets need to fit properly and have straps and buckles adjusted so they give full protection.

"We also compared the penny-farthing bike that Mulga Bill rode in Banjo Patterson’s famous poem with the road bikes favoured by cyclists on a long journey," laughed Mr Turner.

"Brakes, reflectors and lights all make the modern bikes safer."

Bicycle Victoria, with support from VicRoads, Victoria Police, RoadSafe and local councils are hosting the Great Victorian Bike Ride. The route goes through the Bass Coast Shire and finishes at Buchan in East Gippsland.

"All these groups combined to visit as many schools as possible along the route, to deliver the safety message," said Mr Turner.

"We really want to encourage our students to get out on their bikes and ride to school. It’s great exercise.

"But the children also need to be very aware of road safety issues."

At every school visit, students wrote or drew a message in chalk on footpaths and play spaces, to reinforce the safe cycling message.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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