Masterton Intermediate School opens new bike track, longest in New Zealand

The first pupils take off around Masterton Intermediate School's new bike track. Photo / Wairarapa Times-Age

After three years of discussion, preparation, and construction, Masterton Intermediate School finally opened its brand new Bikes in Schools track on Monday morning.

The opening coincided with the start of Movin' March, a campaign to celebrate sustainable travel to and from schools in the greater Wellington region.

The track would be the longest of any school in the country, with a path of about 1250 metres within the school grounds connecting to 750m in the surrounding farm and wetlands.

Principal Russell Thompson said a roster meant all pupils would have the chance to enjoy it.

However, he also wanted the bike track to be a community resource.

People would be able to come before or after school to walk or cycle.

Thompson said that community involvement in school resources was important and kept the school safe.

He said that a group of 16-year-old boys played basketball on the school grounds almost every evening.

"They just love it, and they look after our school for us."

Former Masterton Intermediate pupils Jaiden Duncan and Bayle Griffin had been on the planning committee for the track last year.

Masterton Intermediate School pupils perform a haka at the official opening of their bike track. Photo / Wairarapa Times-Age

The pair had moved to Wairarapa College this year but returned for the opening of the track.

During lockdown last year, they had held Zoom meetings to work on the track design.

Bayle had the idea to use existing tree stumps in the ground and put limestone around them to create jumps.

"It turned out pretty good," Jaiden said.

He said that they had put their mapping and measurement skills to use and had researched other tracks at Rivenrock and Greytown School.

Avid cyclists themselves, Bayle said he had learned to ride a bike without training wheels at the age of 2, while Jaiden now participated in mountain bike competitions.

Wairarapa Road Safety Council projects co-ordinator Holly Hullena said that Masterton Intermediate's bike track had taken three years from inception to completion.

Hullena had hosted an open evening for Wairarapa schools after Lakeview School opened its track – the first in the region – in 2016.

"From there, we had 12 schools in the region decide to do it, and Masterton Intermediate was one of the first to put their hand up."

Mayor Lyn Patterson cuts the ribbon to the bike track with former Masterton Intermediate pupils Jaiden Duncan and Bayle Griffin. Photo / Wairarapa Times-Age

Hullena said that Greater Wellington Regional Council and Masterton District Council had participated in many conversations about the connection of the school loop track with the wetland area track.

"The school wanted to build a robust concept that made sure they were looking after the farmland, wetland, and the environment, because it's going to be a community track."

Masterton Intermediate had secured funding from the Bike On New Zealand Charitable Trust, with both the regional and district councils also providing some funding for the portion of the track on their land.

Masterton Mayor Lyn Patterson made a short speech to pupils before cutting the ribbon to open the track. She said that Masterton Intermediate had spent a lot of time planning to get all the elements right.

"Sometimes these things take time, but they're certainly well worth it … Enjoy it, and I'm looking forward to seeing Mr T [Thompson] on those jumps."