Big Rides for schools during Bike Week

For ten years Sawtell Public School has been successfully running a school Big Bike Ride for their senior students. Inspired by newspaper reports of Sawtell’s ride Anne Shearer, the Road Safety Officer from Coffs Harbour City Council, and John Gray, CH BUG President, earlier this year visited Sawtell Public School; the principal and staff involved were happy to provide details on how they ran their annual Big Bike Ride.

Armed with a detailed model and pro forma paperwork Anne and John approached Toormina Public School and William Bayldon Public School to discuss the possibility of these schools running their own BIG BIKE RIDES. These schools also found the idea new and exciting. The CH BUG promised to provide volunteers to support their efforts.

Bike Week was the last week of Term 3 for the public schools, so as well as the ride being a Health and Safety learning experience it was a fun day for the last days of the term.

On the Tuesday Toormina School had 60 children participating and on the Thursday William Bayldon School had 70 participating. The BUG provided 10-12 volunteers to assist in safe road crossings. On the Thursday Daniel Alcock from Rainbow Cycles, assisted by Wally Sims from the BUG, provided bike safety checks before the ride. There was a very interesting collection of bikes!

The children rode from their schools along footpaths, the Hogbin Drive cycleway and over Beacon Hill to the Jetty foreshores area where they had a BBQ and beach games and activities before returning by the same route to their schools. This meant a 22-26 km ride –quite an achievement for children of primary school age.

Everyone involved had a great time –kids, teachers, parents and volunteers and everyone wants to do it again next year. Some are asking can we do it again next term! There were a few minor injuries and mechanical problems but that was all part of the learning experience.
BUG volunteers were so happy to see 130 kids on bikes that week. Possibly next year we may be able to encourage other schools close to the cycleway to join the fun too.

Thanks to Sawtell Public School for showing the way, to the teachers at Toormina and William Bayldon Schools who enthusiastically took to the idea and to the BUG volunteers whose support has been appreciated by the school staffs.

John Gray

Bike Week update

Latest on Bike Week Details as follows:

• The Coffs Coast Community Rides are running as per every Saturday from City Square at 6:30am. On the 22nd Sept. the Bonville Sawtell Lions Club and the Xpresso Coffee van will be in the car park of the Bunker Gallery so that people can eat breakfast at the gallery and view the 19th Rotary National Cartoon Awards. This is a sneak preview of the exhibition which is due to open on the 29th Sept. It is also 1 year since the Coffs Coast Community Rides began, so we're hoping for a good turn out to celebrate.
  
  
• On Sunday, 23rd the annual Family Day (Bike Fest 07) is to be held at the Velodrome from 8:30am. CC Community Rides will be riding to Toormina from City Square, starting at 8am. The Cycle Club will be supplying hot and canteen food at the Velodrome - proceeds to the club. There will also be an ice cream vendor and coffee van.
  
  Cycle groups [including the BUG] will be organising demonstrations, races, fund events as well as information about cycling... There will be a best dressed bike parade with prizes. "Beyond Intensity" will be demonstrating "boot camp" activities; there will be a pit stop, and promotion of bike safety checks to the local schools Hopefully the police will be able to come along to engrave bikes.
  
  
• The Museum in Harbour Drive will put on an exhibition of bikes, photos and other cycling memorabilia from Tuesday 25th Sept until 30th. Opening times 10am - 4pm. For contributions to the exhibition and more information please phone 6652 5794
  
  
• Toormina Public School and William Bayldon School are organising Big Bike Rides for their senior students during Bike Week (Tues and Thurs). John Gray from Coffs BUG has helped them organise the day which involved riding down to the Jetty and back. Students must have a road worthy bike. We will be encouraging them to get their bike checked at the Bike Fest on Sunday.
  
  
• Film night on Thursday 27th Sept. Arrangements are still being finalised, but hopefully there will be a showing of "The Flying Scotsman" at Sawtell Cinema. This is a new release - a true story about an enterprising cyclist who became a champion. Should be a good social night out for all cyclists... watch this space for more details.
  

School Big Bike Rides During Bike Week 2007

This is something new and exciting for the children of two Coffs Harbour schools. For ten years Sawtell Public School has been running such an event and now their inspiration has led to plans for Toormina Public School and William Bayldon Public School to run their own BIG BIKE RIDES.

The children will ride from their schools along cycleways and footpaths to the Jetty foreshores area where they will have a BBQ and beach games and activities before returning by the same route to their schools. As well as providing a fun day for the children the schools involved will be able to teach road and bike safety around this event.

Tuesday 25th September is the date for the TPS ride and Thursday 27th September is the date for the WBPS ride. This is during Bike Week which is the last week of the public schools term 3.
The BUG is planning to assist the schools by providing volunteers at road crossing and other possible danger points. We need a lot of volunteers so if you would like to assist please phone John Gray on 66554898 or 0422333238 or talk to him on a bike ride sometime.

Bike Week activities in the Coffs area

BUG reps have been liaising with the organisers of Bike Week to see where and how we can be involved - in terms of raising the profile of cycling in and around Coffs.

This is the draft program so far (click on it to bring up an enlarged image.)


Anne Shearer has asked if BUGs would help organise some kid's events for Bike Fest 07 at the Velodrome on Sunday 23rd. September

Anyone got any bright ideas for events that kids would enjoy?

Perhaps an observation ride like the one Sue organised would be good. We could have it around the Veledrome, BMX track , skate board ramp etc. staying off roads.

Any other ideas??

Could we have an extra breakfast ride on the 30th Sept as the final bike week event. Perhaps start at the Velodrome, Sawtell for breakfast, a quick trip around Bongil Bongil and back to the Veledrome. Any takers?