Award winning children’s bike trail inspires an early love of cycling

Wellington’s first children's mountain bike track has been growing in popularity since being opened in June last year.

The South Coast Kids’ Track, located in Island Bay was developed by Wellington City Council in partnership with a committee of local parents who wanted somewhere close by and easily accessible for their children to ride off-road.

Wellington City Mayor Celia Wade-Brown has praised the track, stating “junior off-road facilities inspire an early love of cycling (and) getting kids active is important for our city.”

At the end of last year, the initiative won the New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) 2014 Award for an outstanding recreation project.

Accepted the award at the annual NZRA Conference held recently at Lincoln University last November, Councillor Paul Eagle, Chair of the Council committee responsible for recreation, explained “more and more children are getting on their bikes and now they can develop their biking skills in a safe environment.

“The track is key to getting young people active outdoors, which means they’re more likely to be active when they’re adults. It’s all part of the vision to make Wellington New Zealand’s mountain biking capital.”

Councillor Eagle acknowledged the huge volunteer effort and locally provided materials and equipment for the project, adding “the track was developed by the community for the community.

“Thank you to everyone - especially the neighbours - who planned, dug, planted and supported the track being built."

The initial track design was developed by Jeremy Blake, a member of the local parents group; Ric Balfour from Trail Fund New Zealand and Russel Garlick from the Wellington Mountain Bike Club. The construction was completed by Southstar Trails and the local community also helped tweak the design.

Kether Gati, member of the local committee, noted “our aim was to provide an off-road cycling loop with ups, downs and fun features, that children and adults could use to gain skills and confidence.”

The committee was successful in receiving funding from a number of agencies including Trail Fund New Zealand, Bike Wellington, Revolve Cycling and the Council.

The NZRA awards are presented annually and represent the very best achievements, contributions and innovations in sport and recreation in New Zealand.

Click here for more information on Trail Fund New Zealand.

27th November 2014 - NZRA AWARDS RECOGNISE BEST AND BRIGHTEST IN RECREATION

5th February 2014 - CYCLE TRAILS MAKING POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE NEW ZEALAND ECONOMY