Afghani migrant students saddle up for bike safety in Launceston
ABC Northern Tasmania By Fred Hooper Posted 2 Feb 2017, 7:12pm Around 20 Afghani migrant students from the Launceston area have saddled up for a program teaching them basic riding skills and bike safety. Standing in the middle of the local primary school's basketball court, waving his arms as if he was directing traffic, was Ian Loft from Let's Ride. He had the task of keeping all the young and enthusiastic riders on task and on the small course he had laid out. "The issue with most of them, you find, is confidence," Mr Loft said. "My issue at the end of the fours days will be slowing them down and working on the crash issues." Mr Loft watched on as the youngsters wove their way around witches hats — a simple skill he said was taken for granted in Australia. "Riding is the important thing. But from my point of view, it's a life skill and they realise that they have responsibility for their actions," he said. The bikes used in the classes have been provided by Mr Loft as part of the Let's Ride project, an initiative of Cycling Australia. "I want to make sure that these kids can enjoy cycling but minimise the risks," he said. A local migrant women's friendship group runs the program with the assistance of a grant from the Motor Accidents Insurance Board. Robyn Flittner from the group said that the feedback from the students and their parents had been positive. "It has been absolutely phenomenal," she said. "All of them are just overjoyed that they are actually doing something that they have always wanted to do — ride a bike. "The determination has been inspirational. They'll fall off, they'll get cuts and grazes and bruises and things, and then they're back on the bike again." During a break in the riding class, one of the students explained what they had been practicing and learning that day. "We were having a game course. We need to go around them [witches hats], and go slowly, then wave with one hand and then brake. And it was fun," 11-year-old Fatemeh Amari said. "I like riding bikes because I learn more things about them and I get better at riding them." Ten-year-old Mohanmmed Karimi had ridden a bike previously, but he was enjoying picking up the extra skills to help keep him safe. "We're doing bike riding and we're learning some stuff. It's really fun," Mr Karimi said.As the class got back into full swing, Mr Loft seemed pleased with increasing level of riding skill among the students. "All of these guys here can basically ride, which is really great for me because a lot of the classes I do [with local students] I'm getting kids that can't," he said. Seeing a student who might not have begun the course with many skills to then progress through the class is what Mr Loft said gives him the most satisfaction. "Particularly one that's been really hard. It's a good feeling to see that you're doing something," he said. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-02/migrant-students-learn-bike-skills/8217812 |
PHOTO: The classes are designed for migrant students with little or no ability on a bike.
ABC Northern Tasmania: Fred Hooper PHOTO: The students were very keen to start riding the short course.
ABC Northern Tasmania: Fred Hooper PHOTO: Ian Loft said he learns something new every time he takes a class.
ABC Northern Tasmania: Fred Hooper |
Let's Ride instructors Ian and Denise Loft with St Leonards Primary School pupils Mia Munro (grade 3), Jobi Nicholas (grade 4), Corah Glashower (grade 3) and Joshua Stephenson (grade 3).
PHOTO: Phil Biggs |
Bike safety course teaches kids road dangers
Toli Papadopoulos March 3, 2016, 6:56 p.m. THE children of St Leonards Primary School are gaining a valuable lesson in road safety. The Let’s Ride program is a six-week course designed to educate children aged eight to 12 how to ride safely, teaching kids bike control, bike safety and situational awareness. The national program has reached Launceston schools after Cycling Australia discovered 60 per cent of parents believed their children required greater education and training. The course teaches pupils how to reduce risk while riding, covering basic road rules, how to put a helmet on properly and take responsibility for their actions. Let’s Ride instructor Ian Loft said cycling conditions had changed dramatically over the past 20 years, highlighting an increase in traffic and greater duty of care. He said that altered road conditions meant children needed additional teaching on safety. “We don’t realise a lot of kids think they can ride, but they’re not actually getting a lot of riding at home and not getting a lot of instruction at home,” he said. The report also revealed one in two Australian parents intended to spend less than 15 hours teaching their children how to ride a bike, despite a majority arguing safety was important. Grade four pupil Jobi Nicholas said the program had taught him how to use brakes safely and put a helmet on. “I wasn’t putting my helmet on properly but now I am,” he said. “Getting on a bike with my friends is the best part.” National Ride2School Day will be held on Friday, giving students an opportunity to showcase their new skills. http://www.examiner.com.au/story/3768083/primary-kids-get-bike-smart/ |