Bike initiative building skills and confidence

Pouakai Jackson-Williams (left) with Mountain Bike Rotorua guide Marcello Ojerio. Photo/Supplied

Look out Rotorua - there could be several mountain biking superstars in the making thanks to the Pinkbike Share the Ride initiative.

Crankworx event director Tak Mutu said after just two hours of instruction several kids who had never ridden a bike before were riding by themselves.

"You can't get better than that."

Share the Ride works for 10 deserving kids in the Rotorua community aged 8 to 12, from a range of different backgrounds, who didn't have access to mountain bikes.

"They are eager to come to each session, it's cool to see their excitement ... it's quite a privilege to run the programme each year."

There have been four Share the Ride sessions so far where the children learn first aid skills, bike maintenance, and tackle some of the familiar Rotorua tracks.

Mr Mutu said he, Professionals McDowell Real Estate co-owner Steve Lovegrove, Barbara Jenks from the Rotorua Mountain Bike Club, and Mountain Bike Rotorua Adventure Hub tour guide Marcello Ojerio were the main instructors, alongside other Mountain Bike Rotorua guides.

Commitment by the children is recognised, with each child who attends every session receiving a Giant mountain bike and helmet after the last session. A caregiver must attend each session also.

Alongside the Crankworx community, Pinkbike and Giant were involved with the initiative, Mr Mutu said.

Maunganui Hawe, 12, was really loving the programme, said his mum Natalie Richards.

"It's going really well, and he's enjoying learning the technical things. We're really grateful for the opportunity."

She said Maunganui had done a one day bike programme last year but as he didn't have his own bike it was hard to keep momentum going.

Ms Richards said her son was surprised to learn at the first session he was getting a bike at the end, something she and Maunganui's dad had kept quiet.

"Having his own bike will be great to get him out there."

Maunganui was excited about seeing behind the scenes of Crankworx as two of the upcoming sessions were at Crankworx, Ms Richards said.

"[Mountain biking] is something a bit different. He is the only one from his school, Te Whare Kura o Ngati Rongomai, taking part."

Daphne O'Tene, whose son Hunter Mead, 8, is taking part said she hadn't heard of the programme before.

"It's awesome ... I'm proud of seeing his skills and confidence grow rapidly."

She said the teachers were fantastic and patient with the kids.

Mr Mutu said to choose which children were part of the programme they reached out through networks.

"We talked to teachers from schools, and community members, to identify kids who wouldn't normally have the opportunity."

Having caregivers attend each session got the kids excited, Mr Mutu said.

"It takes a family to get in behind [the programme] to get any traction. We want parents to not just watch but to get on and ride with their kids."