New school tracks get students on the move

Mosston School pupil Morgan Coe tries out the school's new track. Photo/Stuart Munro

Mosston School's new bike track and scooter track has changed the way the school's students look at cycling.

The tracks, on the school field, are new this term.

Principal Michelle Watson said because the school was on busy Mosston Rd, which has a 70km/h speed limit, pupils traditionally did not bike to school.

"Our students would go on to intermediate school often not knowing how to be confident on their bikes.

"But now we have our own bike track we find that kids are getting bikes for their birthdays so they can bring them to school. And we're seeing a lot more parents biking with their kids to school."

Ms Watson said the bike track was also being used by locals during the weekends.
"We often see parents sitting here chatting after school while their kids race around on their bikes. And it's really great to see the kids - especially the boys - burning off energy on their bikes before school, too."

Members of the Whanganui Multisport Club will be coming in to the school next term to teach the pupils about cycle safety.

The school duathlon was held on the bike track and Ms Watson said it would be used for running during the winter.

"Our school field can get very wet in winter so it's great to have the track to use."
The bike and scooter tracks were funded was by a parents' group and through the Whanganui District Council's Let's Go programme.