Gippsland now has its first bike library, encouraging more people to try cycling and increase their fitness, as part of the Ride Nation Gippsland launch – an initiative by AusCycling to promote bike education and cycling in the region.
The Latrobe Valley Authority is supporting the program through a $30,000 Business and Industry Capability Fund grant which aims to encourage collaborative business activities, with Baw Baw Shire Council also contributing $30,000 and Bendigo Bank Trafalgar contributing $10,000 towards bringing Ride Nation to Gippsland.
Ride Nation Gippsland is a new centralised hub for cycling in the region – encouraging people to try cycling, join a club, and explore Gippsland’s many tracks and trails. Gippsland is now one of three established Ride Nation centres, with others at Wollongong and Ballarat.
Bike libraries are being piloted in Gippsland to ensure every child has access to a bike and can participate in bike education.
Ride Nation Gippsland is looking for people interested in helping to establish more bike libraries throughout the region or donate an old bike they no longer use. The bikes will then be refurbished by local partner organisations such as Men’s Sheds to ensure they’re suitable and safe.
Working closely with Destination Gippsland to leverage tourism opportunities, Ride Nation Gippsland is establishing an online marketplace platform featuring Gippsland’s tracks and trails, cycling tour operators, and other cycling and bike education destinations.
Find out more about Ride Nation and how to get involved at www.ridenation.com.au
Ride Nation Gippsland was launched at Trafalgar Primary School on Thursday 17 December, with professional cyclist Brenton Jones, Ride Nation Gippsland Coordinator Karin Jones and Trafalgar Primary School students.