Rotorua teens get free bikes

Marcello Ojerio

The adventurous world of mountain biking has been opened up to 10 Rotorua teenagers, the proud new recipients of a free bike courtesy of the "Share the Ride" project.

The project was a collaboration between Mountain Bike Rotorua's Tak Mutu, Mark Leishman, formerly of Rotorua in Gear, bike guide Marcello Ojerio and real estate agent and mountain biker James Alexander. It also involved Giant mountain bikes, Sport Bay of Plenty and Pink Bike.

Mr Ojerio said he was asked if he wanted to be involved in the early stages by Mr Mutu and Mr Leishman.

"Tak really saw an opportunity," he said.

"But in the end it was the participants who had a real sense of ownership. Some of these kids, when they struggled, the others were there to support them. And we were given more insight into the Maori culture of the area."

The programme ran for five weeks with two sessions a week. To qualify for a bike at the end of it participants had to attend a minimum eight sessions and be accompanied by a family member at each session.

Mr Ojerio said in the final weeks they were being joined by cousins, siblings, grandparents and aunts and uncles.

The participants were selected by Sport Bay of Plenty.

"It was pretty phenomenal. These kids are now already out there cruising around the forest and showing their friends.

"We look forward to getting the chance to do it again. We felt privileged to be able to share our experience."

Guest instructors included New Zealand representatives Carl Jones, Louis Hamilton and Connor Hamilton.

Included in the sessions were fundamental cycling skills, trail etiquette, bike maintenance, shuttling, trail safety and first aid. The presentation of bikes was made at Crankworx Rotorua last month.