Bike On NZ is a not-for-profit organisation in New Zealand that aims to encourage more New Zealanders to cycle. It was started by Paul McArdle and Meg Frater in November 2009, and initially started with 'Bikes in schools' programs that provided bicycles and bicycle tracks on primary school grounds[1][2] to allow children to learn to ride bikes – with many of the children involved having no cycling experience at all, and with many of the parents of the children being too concerned about their safety to allow them to ride bicycles on public roads. The organisation has since branched out into a variety of other cycling promotion and advocacy, including providing bicycles to encourage 'police on bikes' schemes.[3]

The Bikes in Schools programme eventually gained the support of Prime Minister John Key, who helped open one of the projects after the Hawke's Bay pilot project was initially deemed a success.[3][4][5] The mostly sponsor-supported project has expanded to include schools in the Auckland area.[6]

References

  1. "Press release: Hastings school opens new cycle track". Hastings District Council. 2 November 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  2. "Press release: Hastings wins $4m to be New Zealand Walking model". Hastings District Council. 25 June 2011. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Gift coaxes schoolkids back to bikes". Fairfax NZ News via Stuff.co.nz. 19 February 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  4. "John Key opens bike tracks at St Mary's School, Hastings". Cycle Advocates Network. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  5. "Press release: Free Access to Bikes and Facilities for All". Bike On. 19 February 2010. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  6. "Sponsors give bikes, cycle track to primary school". Fuseworks Media. 28 February 2012. Retrieved 21 September 2012.


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