A scaled-back version of Whanganui District Council's Let's Go BikeReady programme is set to begin, with Bigfoot Adventures running the initiative for the next two years. Pictured are students from Gonville School.
A scaled-back version of Whanganui District Council's Let's Go BikeReady programme is set to begin, with Bigfoot Adventures running the initiative for the next two years. Pictured are students from Gonville School.
Whanganui District Council is set to launch another round of its Let’s Go BikeReady programme but funding cutbacks mean a reduced offering.
The programme has been running for seven years.
Council transportation manager Mark Allingham said the programme’s new scope was primary, intermediate and some secondary students, ratherthan all ages and skill levels.
“This has ensured the continuation of a well-established and highly regarded programme that encourages active, sustainable travel for Whanganui kids to support them to get out and about on the network of shared pathways around town.
“We will support community-led initiatives that promote safe and active transport where we can.”
The Chronicle reported last November that funding of $1.9 million – split 62/38 between NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) and the council – was requested for the programme for 2024 to 2027.
NZTA provided only $218,860 but elected members voted to keep the programme running.
It cost about $97,000 in 2024-25, and will cost $331,094 a year for 2025-26 and 2026-27.
Whanganui District Council transportation manager Mark Allingham. Photo / Mike Tweed
“The main part is we’ve made [funding] fit to what we are doing, and it fits with all the Government slogans of [councils] sticking to your knitting and not doing anything extra,” Allingham said.
“And doing stuff for the kids is awesome.”
He said there were currently no opportunities for additional NZTA funding but “if anything pops up, we’ll ask”.
Bigfoot Adventures, established in 1995, has been appointed to deliver the Let’s Go programme for the next two years.
General manager Mark Harvey said he was excited for the opportunity.
“We surely share a common purpose here – a collaborative approach to helping our tamariki learn bike skills competency and road safety, and we look forward to working with the Whanganui community."
He said the outdoors was “a natural antidote to screen time”.
“Learning bike skills provides such a great foundation where children can build confidence, physical skills and independence.”
Allingham said Bigfoot Adventures would employ and work alongside Whanganui residents to help deliver the programme, “ensuring local knowledge and community connection are embedded throughout”.
“It’s in place now and they’ll be doing stuff with schools before the end of the school year.
“We encourage any school interested in participating to get in touch so we can work with them to explore what support may be available.”
Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.
