Cycleway opens for family fun

Destinee Payne 6, tests the bridge section of the new cycleway of Gonville School. Tuesday, October 11, 2016 Wanganui Chronicle photograph by Bevan Conley.

The new cycleway at Gonville School in Whanganui opens on Wednesday and a bunch of young test riders were giving it a big thumbs up this week.

The 400m track is part of a package from New Zealand Charitable Trust Bike On which includes 30 bikes of different sizes, a raised wooden bridge section, a storage shed for the bikes and 30 cycle helmets.

The trust works in partnership with sponsors to enable more children to experience cycling and the benefits of increased health, fitness, skills, safety, confidence and self-esteem.

Gonville principal Greg Elgar said Powerco, St Johns Landscaping and other Whanganui sponsors have got behind the project.

"The great thing is that there are bikes in all sizes so families can come use the bikes to ride around the track together," he said.

Children who prefer to ride scooters still have plenty of concrete area to ride around as well.

The new track will open with a ceremony on Wednesday and will be attended by families and sponsors as well as local pre-schools and the guest of honour will be Olympic cyclist Greg Anderson.