Bicycle Network: Skill Up

On the ball with bikes

2 November 2011. North Melbourne Football Club has launched a project to bring bike skills to a community which has never had much exposure to bikes, or Aussie Rules.

The My Bike Project at The Huddle—the Kangaroo's Learning and Life Centre—will involve about 20 culturally and linguistically diverse young people aged 14 -16 from Melbourne’s inner north.

The objective of the program is to educate participants in bike skills and safe road behaviours. An equally important goal is the expression of identity and experience of independent movement, articulated through bicycle ownership.

The project will be documented by the participants themselves using social media and video, with a short film screened at a concluding celebration.

The project is funded by a TAC Community and Road Safety Grant and supported by the City of Melbourne. Victoria Police has donated bikes from unclaimed stolen stock and Flemington Cycles, Knog and Nutcase Helmets are all contributing goods and services. Project management is by the Squeaky Wheel.