Community and School Bike Ambassador Programme 5-7 August 2024

Have bike, will travel?

How would you like to be a bike ambassador for Central Otago?

Continuing on with the Central Otago District Council (CODC) Wheels Up programme that began in May, Road Safety Advisor Chris Foggin is on the hunt for people in the community who want to share their passion for bikes and trails in a free Community Bike Ambassador programme.

“A Community Bike Ambassador is someone who lives in the community, loves to ride bikes and uses the local trail network and connecting road infrastructure regularly.

“We’re after different spokes for folks in any age group; social services workers, teachers or teacher aids who would like to become involved with the volunteer CODC Wheels Up Community/Schools Bike Ambassador programme, assisting others to enjoy cycling in our fabulous region.”

The bike ambassador programme is a community-based project designed to increase safety and enhance the user experience around our roads and cycle trails network, in addition to supporting cyclists in our towns and urban areas where cycle transport connections are being developed.

“An ever-increasing number of people are sharing a common interest i.e., cycling and specifically recreational riding, and there is an exponential growth in the use of the road and trail network here in Central Otago,” Mr Foggin said.

“We have already delivered the inaugural Schools Bike Ambassador course (held mid-June) enabling three schools to provide fun sessions or road riding skills to their students.”

The programme is aimed at local cyclists and rangatahi. However, teachers, teacher aids, or other educationalists would be welcome to attend the three-day course over 5-7 August.

Community Bike Ambassadors engage in an informal way with other cyclists and assist others where appropriate. They can potentially lead cycling groups off-road or on-road or assist in a schools’ programme.

Typical activities of bike ambassadors may involve:

• Encouraging and role modelling safe cycling and expected riding etiquette on our trails and roads
• Creating and nurturing a good cycling culture
• Occasional first aid or trail-side bike repairs
• Leading groups
• Advising, offering guidance, or assisting to educate other network users
• Reporting issues to the relevant authority via the correct protocols
• Making decisions when required for the benefit of a group or individual rider or other trail users
• Helping support people to develop their skills and confidence
• Route planning and preparation.

Places are limited to 12 for each cohort, and the first steps of the trial are to recruit 12 community minded volunteers who love riding bikes and helping others. A number of teachers from schools have been trained, however, the aim is to attract a diverse range of ambassadors.

“There are no upfront costs for successful applicants, and there will be significant investment in you, therefore you will need to engage fully with the programme,” Mr Foggin said.

There will also be a requirement to be police vetted.

Would-be bike ambassadors will be supported through the project in a variety of learning modules:

COG 1: Introductions and opening exercise.

What are the Schools or Community Bike Ambassador programmes? The role of a Bike Ambassador. Intro to documentation – handbook/documentation.

COG 2: Foundation skills including bike set-up, ABCs, balance, stable platform, moving, stopping, braking, cornering, signalling. Moving groups in off-road environments.

COG 3: Road safety skills including NZTA Road Code for Cyclists, positioning, intersections, roundabouts and moving groups on the road network.

COG 4: Communication, customer service, conflict management and interactions with members of the public.

COG 5: Incident Management and Reporting.

COG 6: Trail-side repairs – input from local bike shops.

COG 7: First Aid Training – Peak Safety. (This is optional and dependent on funding.)

COG 8: Mentoring and refresher training.

You will need:

• Good riding skills (you do NOT need to be an elite rider).
• A love of cycling.
• Your own bike (in excellent working condition), helmet and riding gear.
• Great communication & people skills.
• Be part of the local community and love cycling in our region.
• [A coaching or guiding qualification/experience would be desirable but is NOTessential].

Please send an expression of interest, in the form of a letter, outlining the following:

• Full name and contact info including mobile and email
• Your reasons for wanting to be involved with the Schools or Community Bike Ambassador programme
• Your cycling background and your favourite style of riding
• Where you live
• Any relevant leadership or coaching experience
• How often you ride the local trail/road network
• Any other relevant experience you may have.

Applications Chris Foggin, Road Safety Advisor, Bike Ambassador programme – chris.foggin@codc.govt.nz

More info: 027 473 3514.