HUTT CITY COUNCIL NEWS RELEASE

14 FEBRUARY 2013

Pump up those tyres – Go by Bike Day is back

This year’s Go By Bike Day on Wednesday 20 February is a great reason to get back on your bike, says Hutt City Council’s road safety coordinator Jan Simmons.

“We’ll have a healthy breakfast on offer and plenty of fantastic spot prizes to everyone who comes along to the Dowse on their bikes on their way to work or school.

“Go By Bike Day acknowledges those who cycle regularly and encourages others to give it a go. It’s also a reminder to think about safety – for drivers to slow down and share the road with cyclists, and for cyclists to always wear a helmet, keep to the road rules, and wear clothing that ensures they are easily seen.”

Riders passing through the Lower Hutt central city can drop into the Dowse Art Museum between 7 and 9am to enjoy breakfast goodies such as toasted bagels, muesli, fruit and drinks and the chance to win prizes.

“This year Wholly Bagels Lower Hutt are supplying the bagels so they’re set to be delicious!”

Go By Bike Day is a nationwide initiative for anyone who can keep a bike upright – whether they are long-time cyclists, or have just graduated from training wheels and looking to hit the road.

People who come along to the Go By Bike Day breakfast will also be able to find out more about Greater Wellington’s ‘Pedal Ready’ programme which is a series of workshops for adult riders to up-skill.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On Failures Of Care For Those With Mental Disabilities

Hard to imagine a more disturbing insight into the treatment of the vulnerable than the Health Ministry report on Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau. The Ministry has found that the country’s only kaupapa Maori intellectual disability residential care provider has been “seriously dysfunctional.”

The ministry says the business has failed to recruit and retain quality staff – and says the kaimahi (caregivers) that have been employed are seriously unsuitable for the job, lacking basic knowledge. But Te Roopu Taurima o Manukau doesn’t get all the blame. The report says there’s a significant gap under disability laws to ensure there’s oversight by qualified clinical professionals. More>>