Let’s Go BikeReady returns to get Whanganui kids confident on bikes
Published on 01 December 2025
BikeReady at Gonville School
Whanganui District Council’s Let’s Go BikeReady programme is gearing up to help tamariki and rangatahi gain the skills and confidence they need to ride safely around our district.
The programme, delivered in partnership with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, supports safe and active travel by teaching students how to ride confidently on shared pathways and low-volume roads. A key goal of the programme is to support young people – from those learning to ride safely to those who can ride but lack confidence – so they feel safe travelling to school by walking, scootering or cycling.
The Let’s Go programme has been running in Whanganui for the past seven years, providing cycling skills training aligned with the national cycling education system.
The council’s transportation manager, Mark Allingham, says in 2024 the Let’s Go contract was up for renewal – and with reduced funding from Waka Kotahi NZTA, a decision was made to scale the programme back.
“During the annual plan process, councillors voted to increase the council’s contribution to keep delivering this important programme but to limit the scope to primary, intermediate and some secondary students, rather than all ages and skill levels.
“This has ensured the continuation of a well-established and highly regarded programme that encourages active, sustainable travel for Whanganui kids to support them to get out and about on the network of shared pathways around town.
“Despite the programme budget only allowing us to deliver cycling education to the tamariki of Whanganui, we will support community-led initiatives that promote safe and active transport where we can,” Allingham says.
Following a tender process, the council has appointed Bigfoot Adventures to deliver the programme for the next two years.
“Bigfoot Adventures has more than 30 years’ experience providing education outside the classroom and has long delivered cycling training to BikeReady standards,” Allingham says.
Training will range from scooter skills for younger tamariki, to Grade 1 sessions held in school environments, and Grade 2 sessions designed to prepare older students for confident riding on low-volume roads.
“Bigfoot Adventures will employ and work alongside Whanganui locals to help deliver the programme, ensuring local knowledge and community connection are embedded throughout,” Allingham says.
Bigfoot Adventures has contacted all Whanganui schools to invite them to take part in the refreshed programme.
“We encourage any school interested in participating to get in touch so we can work with them to explore what support may be available,” Allingham says.
Bigfoot Adventures general manager, Mark Harvey, says, “Spending more time outdoors for our children is now more important than ever before. We see the outdoors as a natural antidote to screen time and learning bike skills provides such a great foundation where children can build confidence, physical skills and independence.
“We're excited for this opportunity. We surely share a common purpose here – a collaborative approach to helping our tamariki learn bike skills competency and road safety and we look forward to working with the Whanganui community,” Harvey says.