A new bike track at Maungatapu School is seeing some tamariki enjoy their first time on two wheels, and the community learning to ride too.

Maungatapu School officially opened its new bike track on April 10, at the start of Term 2.

With the term now finished, acting principal Owen Allsop says the track has done wonders in the last three months for the school and surrounding community’s tamariki but also their whanau.

“Any given week, you’ll find families coming out for a picnic.

“We’ve really seen a shift in the way our school grounds are being used in the community, which is exactly what we hoped for.”

The 250-metre track cost $120,000 and was funded by the Tauranga City Council, Bike On Charitable Trust, and Rotary. The school ordered 40 new bikes for students without a bike to ensure everyone feels included in the project.

The school also provides helmets, a workshop and storage facilities so children can learn to cycle and look after the bikes.

“Some kids don’t have bikes at home so it’s exciting for us to be part of that learning-to-ride experience. It’s been amazing to watch their progression.”

Maungatapu School’s new bike track is designed to resemble real streets so children can learn road safety. Photo: John Borren.

Now the project has received another boost – being one of 31 school projects to receive support from Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s School Sustainability and Resilience Fund. The funding has gone towards a bike tool station.

“Several older kids are being trained up to be bike mechanics. The track is great for the school. We’ve had plenty of positive feedback,” says Owen, who says the track is designed to resemble real streets so children can learn road safety.

The track has road markings and signs and symbols that are the same as what you’d see on a public road.

“The initiative teaches confidence with bikes, navigating and understanding road rules like directional arrows, pedestrian crossing, hump markings and give-way signage, so the kids don’t have to go out on the road to learn them.”

The school spent two years planning the track to support healthy active learning programmes for its students – and wider community – to build skills and fitness. “We’ve always seen it as a community facility.”