Kids living in the outback region of Brewarrina have the opportunity to learn new skills through a community-led pilot funded by the NSW Government to promote cycling in the area.
The Brewarrina Bike Kitchen pilot, which starts today, has been designed to boost cycling within the Brewarrina community by teaching participants how to build and maintain bicycles, and ride safely in the community.
The $110,000 pilot will be delivered by Tune Cycles through a $73,555 grant awarded under the NSW Government’s Transport Access Regional Partnerships (TARP) program, and $37,000 from the NSW Office of Sport for the purchase of bikes and helmets funded through the Sustainable Participation Partnership Program.
The program is supported by the Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Lands Council and local schools. The Brewarrina Bike Kitchen was born out of discussions with community and school leaders who communicated a lack of activities for local youths and a desire to increase active transport opportunities within the town.
The pilot will not only increase mobility options for young people in a town where just under 20 per cent of residents do not have access to a registered motor vehicle (more than double the NSW average), but will also deliver improved health outcomes through new exercise opportunities.
Forty-four primary school-aged children from Brewarrina, Weilmoringle and Goodooga will take part in the Brewarrina Bike Kitchen pilot for 12 months. The participants, ranging from Years 3 to 6, have been selected after meeting and maintaining their existing educational outcomes at their respective schools.
The Brewarrina Bike Kitchen pilot kicks off on Tuesday 3 September for mentors followed by the youth workshop on Wednesday 4 September. The Bike Kitchen workshop will be open every Thursday from 3pm-5pm at the Brewarrina LALC for kids to access help to maintain the bikes.
Three additional workshops will be held over a 12-month pilot period where mechanics from online and mobile bike specialists Tune Cycles will teach participants bike handling and maintenance skills to ensure the bikes are well-kept.
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison said:
“Transport for NSW will fund the educational and training component of the program, and also travel for successful students who complete this repair workshop to attend a reward event for their participation in building a safer community.
“The aim is for these bikes to be utilised in an ongoing program after the pilot phase, ensuring sustainability and longevity.
“This pilot will provide essential training and education to community representatives who will serve as leaders of the Bike Kitchen for the student participants.
“Participants will acquire the necessary skills to mechanically fix and maintain bikes and ensure safe riding practices are encouraged and embedded within the community.”
Minister for Sport Steve Kamper said:
“Sport and active recreation offer many benefits – including physical, mental and social – and the NSW Government’s funding of the Brewarrina Bike Kitchen will enable local indigenous children to develop a life-long love of cycling.
“I urge the kids and broader community to embrace this fantastic program so that it can continue for many years to come.”
Member for Barwon Roy Butler said:
“Sport and active recreation play a vital role in role in community engagement and healthy lifestyles in Far West NSW, particularly among Indigenous communities.
“The Brewarrina Bike Kitchen will get more local kids active and healthy through cycling.
“The bike maintenance component of the program will also teach them important values of responsibility and commitment.
“I commend the NSW Government agencies, Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Land Council and Tune Cycles for bringing this project to life.”
Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Lands Council acting CEO Urayne Warraweena said:
“The Bike Kitchen is exciting opportunity for Brewarrina.
“Although we have limited health and fitness infrastructure, when we put together sporting activities like seasonal football our kids not only revel in the activity but it reveals a talent base of young athletes with extraordinary ability.
“As a remote isolated community, cycling should be an integral part of our active transport infrastructure but we have no facilities to support bike repairs which means the first mechanical issue sees the bike up against a fence to rust away.
“Our Bike Kitchen will upskill a local person to provide repair services. We hope this leads to other exciting developments in physical activity like walk and run groups, and we are now looking at getting a PCYC which will be a great future base for our bike program.
“This bike program will be loved by the kids and it will create an incredible launching platform of new sporting programs to inspire them towards good health, fitness and active transport.
“The pilot is also a great social opportunity for participants to interact with their peers and students from different schools.”
Tune Cycles’ Hayden Nosatti said:
“Our program is more than just bikes, it’s a catalyst for change.
“Bikes are not just giving kids a means of transportation, they’re unlocking a world of opportunity. Cycling isn’t just about getting from A to B, it’s about forging friendships, boosting health, and fostering a love for learning.
“Through creative means like helmet painting, we’re not just showcasing talent but also celebrating culture and heritage. Our program isn’t just about riding; it’s about riding high on life’s possibilities.”