It was ready, steady, go! for primary school children across Manningham and Maroondah as they showed off their bicycle skills in the inaugural Bike It interschool bike skills challenge. 

Close to 100 grade five and six students from seven schools across the two municipalities took part in the event on Tuesday, 14 November, competing against each other and putting into practice the skills they have learned from the VicRoads Bike Ed program. 

Manningham Council, newly elected Mayor, Cr Andrew Conlon said Bike It! was a joint initiative of Manningham and Maroondah Councils and was sponsored and supported by RoadSafe Eastern Metro Inc and Victoria Police. 

“It’s an excellent initiative that incorporates safe cycling, team work and good sportsmanship,” he said. 

“It also promotes bike riding as a fantastic activity for young people to be more active, healthy and make a positive contribution to the environment.”

Bike It! encourages students to demonstrate their bicycle skills and compete against other schools in a friendly environment. 

Students compete in round robin-style bike activities on the day, with a focus on displaying safe bike riding behaviours and demonstrating good sportsmanship.  

Cr Conlon said current Victorian laws allowed children under 12 and supervising adults to ride on footpaths and therefore education programs such as Bike It! were vital in assisting children transitioning to riding on roads.   

The top prize was won by Great Ryrie Primary School Team 1, followed by Great Ryrie Primary School Team 2 and Milgate Primary School, and took place at Peter Vergers Reserve Ringwood.