Hawkes Bay Today: Pupils put cycling to the test

Twenty-five Hawke’s Bay youngsters battled it out on bikes on Wednesday for a chance to fly in the rescue helicopter, sail in the coast-guard boat and ride their own brand-new bicycle.

The cycle safety and fun day at Pettigrew-Green Arena was an initiative by local police who said intermediate aged children were incredibly vulnerable on the road. Sergeant Clint Adamson of Hastings Police said the day was designed to improve their ability as well as have a bit of fun.

“There’s a good level of skills, some of them need to work on things, but that’s what they’re here for,” he said.
To win the host of fabulous prizes on offer one boy and one girl had to prove their worth out on the road, in the gym and in the classroom.

On the road judges were looking for correct road position, use of the give way rule and signalling. In the gym, cyclists had to negotiate an obstacle course that included riding in a straight line, making tight turns, and a see-saw.

The final component was a half-hour written test. Mitch Glasgow, 13, of Twyford School said he liked his chances of riding away with one of the prizes. He made no errors on the obstacle course and the written test “wasn’t that bad”.

The winners received the prizes as well as a trophy for themselves and their school. The first place winners were Temanu Boynton of Napier Intermediate and Jovaan Mataroa of Twyford School.

Road Policing Manager Inspector Chris Wallace said similar events have taken place all over the North Island and the event was a follow up to cycle safety programmes run in schools.

Despite the serious cycle safety message the consensus among participants was that the day was “really really fun”.