Brewarrina Shire Council gets community back on their bikes just in time for school

Brewarrina Shire Council’s Youth and Community Services team have expanded an important local initiative, helping kids get active and back on their bikes.

Over the last two weeks of the school holidays, the team held three pop-up Bike Kitchens, offering free bike repairs, helmets and important safety reminders for local kids so they could be back on the road just in time for back to school.

Over the three sessions in Brewarrina and Goodooga 50 bikes were repaired. 

Brewarrina Shire Council General Manager David Kirby said the team was blown away with the success of the three days and was looking forward to expanding the program.

“Our pop-up Bike Kitchens were a huge success, not only in terms of the volume of repairs but also the community coming together. We had lots of adults join in and help; dads and uncles jumping on the tools to help get the bikes back on the road again – it was fantastic. 

“It’s such a simple program that’s vital for the community. Cycling is not only a great way to get active, but also an important mode of transport for so many. But with no local repair opportunities for bikes in our Shire, when something goes wrong, that important transport and active outlet is lost.

“I’m very proud to build on the program first launched by the State Government and Local Lands Council, and we were able to help so many. We are planning to expand the program, first with a pop-up in Weilmoringle and more opportunities across the shire,” said Mr Kirby. 

Over the three days, the team fixed everything from broken brakes and chains, and repaired, replaced or pumped-up tyres, on toddler bikes, BMX bikes and mountain bikes. Everyone who came along was also reminded of the importance of bike safety and riding rules, and helmets were also given out to those who had lost theirs. 

“It was an awesome way to finish the school holidays, get our community active and ready to ride to school. A big thanks must go to our Youth and Community Services team, and to Kirk Eyre, Todd Pritchard jr and Clayton Walsh for being our young leaders in theses workshops,” said Mr Kirby.

“Keep up to date on plans for our next Bike Kitchens, including one at Weilmoringle in the coming weeks, on our social media pages and take advantage of this fantastic program,” concluded Mr Kirby.