Get On Ya Bike Kids

February 9, 2005

Get On Ya Bike Kids

Kids will be encouraged to 'get on ya bike' next weekend at the annual Iron Kid Triathlon.

Next Sunday, February 20, will see the 16th annual event kick off at Maxwells Road beach at 10am.

Staged by Community Sport Trust, the Iron Kid has support from Cycle Action Tauranga, Triathlon Tauranga and Blue Light.

This year Tabak Better Business Sales has also come onboard as the major sponsor of the Iron Kid. Organiser Iris Thomas says all the Tabak directors are keen cyclists and wanted to support an event with an emphasis on getting kids on bikes.

The Iron Kid, the longest running children's triathlon in Tauranga, will complete National Bike Safety Week.

The event t-shirt backs up the aim of the day, with an 'On Ya Bike' image drawn by Tyler Thomson of Tauranga Intermediate. Tyler won a poster competition late last year and will be rewarded by seeing hundreds of kids wearing his artwork on their chests at Iron Kid. He also won a new Repco mountain bike sponsored by Bike and Pack.

Iris Thomas says the t-shirt is a great way to get the message out there that it's cool for kids to be on bikes.

"A huge 99 per cent of children own, or have access, to a bike, but very few of them use it as transport. It's a great way to keep fit and get around."

Iris says the 'safety in numbers' idea applies to cycling, and kids riding together are more likely to be seen.

"Cycle Action Tauranga believes both local and central government have, at last, become more supportive of the needs of cyclists and the benefits of cycling. We are all for encouraging kids to ride bikes, because research shows if you start young, you're more likely to continue to ride, or go back to it for fitness and transport needs."

More than 700 children are expected to take part in this year's Iron Kid. There are two courses to cater for primary and secondary school level. Children can make up teams of two or three and there are great spot prizes up for grabs, including a Repco mountain bike. Prizes have been sponsored by Bike and Pack, Repco Bicycles, $2 Shop and National Bike Week.

Entry forms are available through all primary and intermediate schools, in local cycle and sport shops and from More FM.

ENDS

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