TOOLKIT FOR IMPLEMENTING A “BIKE IN SCHOOLS” PROJECT September 2013 Issue two Prepared by Harbour Sport Cycle Project Team 2 CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................. 3 PURPOSE OF THE TOOL KIT .................................................................................................... 4 POTENTIAL OUTCOMES ........................................................................................................... 5 WELLSFORD PRIMARY CASE STUDY ....................................................................................... 6 KEY SUCCESS FACTORS .......................................................................................................... 7 PROCESS ................................................................................................................................... 8 MONITORING AND EVALUATION ........................................................................................... 12 TRAIN THE TRAINERS ............................................................................................................. 14 POTENTIAL FUNDERS ............................................................................................................. 16 COSTS ...................................................................................................................................... 17 BIKES AND HELMETS ............................................................................................................. 18 TYPES OF TRACKS .................................................................................................................. 20 CONTACTS ............................................................................................................................... 22 RESEARCH REFERENCES ...................................................................................................... 25 FURTHER INFORMATION ............................................................................................ 26 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2010 Paul McArdle and his wife, Meg Frater, were recognised for their contribution to increasing cycling in New Zealand at the ASB Cycle Friendly Awards where they won the Greater Wellington Regional Council Cycling Champion of the Year Award. In 2009 Paul and Meg returned from a number of years working overseas and noticed a significant change in the children in their community and New Zealand generally. They observed: • they were less active • greater percentages were visibly overweight VISION: “To enable • fewer children were cycling decile 1 school Out of this observation and a desire to make a difference the Bike On children to receive the New Zealand Charitable Trust was developed to implement the “Bikes in positive social impacts Schools” project. The vision of the Bike On Charitable Trust is to enable of riding a decile 1 school children to receive the positive social impacts of riding a bike regularly” bike regularly. The Bike On Charitable Trust has worked mainly in the Hawke’s Bay region and Auckland and to date has implemented Bikes In School projects into 16 schools with another 18 currently fundraising. The intention is to extend the implementation of Bike In Schools projects nationally. Link for Bikes in Schools webcast: • Bikes in school Youtube video -- www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcV9DziVg_w&feature=youtu.be • Bikes in school Youtube video 2 -- www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu4IZp2Ngik&feature=relmfu • How to implement a bikes in school project -- www.harboursport.co.nz/harbour-sport/cycling-and-walking How has the Bike On Charitable Trust delivered its vision? The Trust has delivered its vision by providing a complete biking package within a school. It believes this is the most cost effective, time efficient and low-risk way to provide a wide range of positive social and health impacts to a school and its community. The “turn-key” package includes: • a fleet of 60 new bikes • a bike helmet for every child • combination of riding, pump and bike skills tracks • bike storage facility (where needed) • bike coach to introduce the programme and teach basic riding skills All bikes and helmets are owned by the school and remain on the school property to be used during class time as part of the physical education programme. The tracks are built within the school property. The storage facility (converted shipping container) is also owned by the school. “We think it is a great idea. It’s a great way of introducing kids to bikes and making sure every young New Zealander gets an opportunity to learn to ride a bike so it’s a programme we would like to see extended to other schools and it’s certainly going to make sure we’ve got fitter, healthier, more engaged young people.” Hon. John Key - New Zealand Prime Minister 4 PURPOSE OF THE TOOL KIT As word of the success of the Bike On New Zealand Charitable Trust projects spread, it was identified that much knowledge was held in the heads of people involved in the projects. In order for Bikes In School projects to flourish across New Zealand in not only schools but also into parks and reserves it became apparent that a document outlining the process and key information was a useful way to disseminate information. As a result this Tool Kit was developed by Harbour Sport’s cycle team in collaboration with Paul McArdle, Bike On New Zealand Charitable Trust and Auckland Transport. The aim is to support and assist other schools or communities who wish to see a Bikes In Schools Project established in their community. It provides the steps undertaken to implement the Bikes In Schools project in Wellsford Primary but is by no means the only way to do it. This document also identifies other options that could be used and these will depend on your school and community. It is not a “one size fits all” model so adapt the information to best suit your community’s needs. It is important for schools to realise that the full benefits of the Bike In Schools Project will not be realised within the school if there is not an ongoing commitment to: • Training teachers, parents and local volunteers in Learn to Ride and Cycle Skills training. This ensures that teachers have the skills to effectively deliver cycle skills training in PE sessions and feel confident in utilising the track and bikes in the school. • Utilising the track and bikes as part of PE classes. • Linking children to local clubs (BMX, mountain biking etc) and events so there are opportunities for children to cycle outside of school. • Having the track available to the community in out of school hours. 5 POTENTIAL OUTCOMES There are many potential outcomes from Bikes In Schools Projects. These include but are not limited to: More children riding bikes • To and from school • At school • BMX • Mountain biking • Recreationally and with their families • In neighbourhoods and parks • On the track in and out of school hours Academic Outcomes • Physical activity such as cycling increases cerebral blood flow, resulting in an increased supply of oxygen and nutrients to the brain. This can result in improved: v Concentration, memory, decision making, class room behaviour and executive functions like multi- tasking and planning • There is an increase in norepinephrine, serotonin and endorphins as a result of vigorous exercise. This is important as high levels of norepinephrine have been associated to better memory. Serotonin and endorphins are “feel good” hormones Health outcomes • Increased physical activity of children and supporting maintenance of healthy weight • Reduction in likelihood of developing lifestyle diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer in later life Social outcomes • Raises the confidence and self esteem of pupils through a fun activity • Delivers health and well being outcomes for the pupils (and staff) • Provides an opportunity to self-manage risks within a safe environment • Makes the school an even more attractive place to learn and work Community Outcomes • Families more linked into school • Perception of more children on streets increases the perception of safety • Reduced traffic congestion and pollution • Instils the habit of using an environmentally-friendly form of transportation • Results in the extended family biking more often with improved health for the whole family • Normalisation of cycling as a mode of transport in the community • More community members recreating together • Cycle track could become a popular place for families to meet and be active together “When I started riding at school it ended up crossing over towards my school work. Because I was getting better at BMX, I started getting better at school because it just gave me a lot of confidence so I was happier and got better at everything really” Sarah Walker – BMX World Champion 6 WELLSFORD PRIMARY CASE STUDY In August 2011, Harbour Sport (HS) and Auckland Transport (AT) discussed collaborating to implement similar projects to the Hawke’s Bay Bikes In Schools projects in the North Harbour region of Auckland. The concepts developed by Paul McArdle (of a bike track and bikes in a school) formed the foundation of these discussions. This led to Wellsford Primary being identified as a suitable school in the Harbour Region in November 2011 and a Bikes In Schools project being implemented. As stated earlier, there are many paths that lead to Rome and this case study highlights only one way that a Bikes In Schools project can and has been achieved in a school. It is not a blue print