Kids and bikes winning combination at Whanganui YMCA

John Turner from the YMCA on the new bike track on London St. Photo/Bevan Conley

A donation of bikes has proven to be a winner for the YMCA's after-school programme.

Paulette Archer, from the YMCA, said Sport Whanganui had recently donated 30 bikes to the YMCA.

"These are used by students in our after-school programmes, but they're also available to be hired out by the community," Miss Archer said.

Bike hire costs $4 per bike per day.

She said the YMCA had the largest after-school programme in Whanganui, with more than 100 children attending every day.

"Tuesday is our clubs day, and the kids get to choose which of our clubs they join. We have a variety of clubs, from art to cooking to sport.

"We have about 20 kids signed up to our cycling club, and they have a great time."

Miss Archer said the location of the YMCA, on the corner of Grey St and London St, was particularly convenient for the newly built bike track next to the Splash Centre.

She said because YMCA was such a big organisation, there was a lot of flexibility in terms of activities the children could do.

"We've had five staff go through the Learn to Bike programme, and that's been very valuable."