Pedal powerpushed as part of funBike Week

Newman residents will be inundated with Bike Week activities this year as town organisations receive funding for the week’s activities.

The Shire of East Pilbara and the South Newman Primary School P&C have both received State Government Bike Week grants this month.

With the additional support of BHP and the Department of Transport, the Shire of East Pilbara’s funding will be used to host several after-school sessions for primary school students to improve their bike skills and road safety knowledge.

The annual Newman Amazing Bike Race will be held to mark the end of Bike Week activities.

Shire president Lynne Craigie said Bike Week was an important aspect of the Shire’s strategic community plan to promote safe and healthy communities.

“Bike riding encourages an active lifestyle and the Bike Week events will ensure riders are safer on the roads,” she said.

“Bike Week also helps to promote the Shire’s existing bike paths around the town to encourage more people to use their bikes for transport.”

The South Newman Primary School P&C will also be hosting a week of activities, dubbed the SNPS Pedal Power week.

Secretary Sonya Matheson said the P&C would be partnering with Newman police to host inclusive activities including bike safety at the school as well as a movie screening on the town’s giant screen for the wider public.

“Many of the students at our school ride their bikes and scooters to school and we would like to encourage this as well as encourage safety in doing so,” she said.

“There are some fun bike tracks around town as well as off-road tracks, making cycling a great activity here.”

The 2018 Bike Week will be held from March 19-25.

For more information on activities, visit the Shire of East Pilbara website as the week draws nearer.