4 August 2020
Strap your helmet on, start pedalling and remember to observe the road rules. The Learn to Ride Park at Australiana Park, Warwick was officially opened today by Queensland Minister for Local Government, Racing and Multicultural Affairs The Hon. Stirling Hinchliffe, Southern Downs Regional Council Mayor Vic Pennisi and ten-year-old bike park advocate Ella Winfield.
Eagerly anticipated, the new 632m concrete pathway twists and turns across simulated cattle grids, corrugations, a dry creek bed and railway crossing with road safety signs providing the same look and feel of a real road.
Portfolio Councillor for Parks and Open Spaces Andrew Gale thanked Queensland Government’s Works for Queensland Program for the funds to make the park a reality for the community.
“The Learn to Ride Park offers a safe, fun and controlled place for young cyclists to practice their riding skills and learn road safety rules,” said Cr Gale.
“As a professional driving instructor, I appreciate the real benefits of this facility as a training resource where our children can learn and practice road safety from a very young age, and families can enjoy the great outdoors together.
“My family and I have been keenly observing the construction of the new park to monitor its progress and we can’t wait to ride our bikes around the course.
“The Learn to Ride Park is a fantastic community space and goes a long way towards promoting active play and a healthy lifestyle.”
And in a fitting tribute, the little girl whose dream of a local learn to ride park inspired her to carefully pen a hand-written letter to Council, was invited as a guest of honour to assist with the ribbon cutting and trial the track.
“I would also like to thank Ella for outlining her dream of this park in a letter that captured the attention of Council,” Cr Gale said.
“This project is a great example of Council and State Government working together to meet the needs of the community, and I would love to see this project duplicated in other towns across the Southern Downs and Granite Belt.
“Riding a bike is one of life’s simple pleasures and I am sure the Learn to Ride Park will become a family favourite.”
The Learn to Ride Park is a joint initiative of Council and the Queensland Government, who contributed a lion’s share of $300,000 through Works for Queensland Program – Round 3 towards the total project cost (to date) of $307,000.
What you’ll find at the Learn to Ride Park:
· Railway level crossing
· Dry creek crossing – If it’s flooded forget it!
· Roundabout
· Stop intersection
· Give Way intersection
· Manually operated traffic light
· Various traffic and speed limit signs
· Bike parking area
· Simulated corrugations
· Simulated cattle grids
· Culvert bridge
· Bandy Bandy snake shaped young riders track
· One-way track
· Slalom track with woops and berms
· “The Black Stump”
And the smile on Ella’s face said it all – this is awesome!