Thursday, 17 December 2020

Gippsland now has its first bike library, encouraging more people to try cycling and increase their fitness, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today opened the library at Trafalgar Primary School, as part of the Ride Nation Gippsland launch – an initiative by AusCycling to promote bike education and cycling in the region.

The Labor Government 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.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“We’re so pleased to support Ride Nation Gippsland and the partnership with our local community – a great initiative to get more people on their bikes and exploring Gippsland’s beautiful tracks and trails.”

“This a fantastic example of Gippsland’s collaborative spirit by working in partnership with local government, community organisations and schools to improve health and wellbeing outcomes through participation in cycling and bike education.”

Quote attributable to Baw Baw Shire Council Mayor Danny Goss

“Our goal is for Baw Baw Shire to be a premier cycling destination, and together with our commitment to improving our cycling infrastructure, this program will help to achieve that. Ride Nation brings together all parts of the cycling community and will offer long term benefits to the Gippsland region.”

Quote attributable to AusCycling Acting Joint CEO Steve Drake

“Ride Nation is the flagship participation brand of AusCycling. With the launch of Ride Nation Gippsland, we look forward to working collaboratively with the community to support bike riding of all types throughout the region.”