Bike Chicks Cycle School, a new initiative for young women in Central Queensland, Australia, aimed to increase the number of women engaging in cycling, is hosting a ‘Come and Try Cycling Day’ on Sunday, May 28,2006 from 10am-4pm for young women aged 13-17 years who want to know more about the sport. The school is also focused on providing ‘off the bike skills’ to improve the quality of these young women's lives through sport and physical activity.
The program is being developed and administered by two local female cyclists; Anouska Edwards and Alex Bright. Edwards and Bright are both products of similar types of development programs, Edwards in (2003) with the Queensland Academy of Sport and Bright in 2002 with the Australian Institute of Sport.
Edwards and Bright have had success at the elite level since being a part of their respective programs. Edwards is a two time Queensland track representative and QAS representative at the Geelong Womens Tour and Geelong World Cup in February 2006. Bright is a team National Gold Medalist, three time Queensland track representative and Australian representative at the 2004 Oceania Track Championships.
But both women's introduction to cycling occurred at a late age, and Edwards and Bright know that the implementation of a structured development program at a younger age can provide many fantastic opportunities in cycling. The most recent achievement is Phillipa Hindmarsh, a two time Australian Junior Sprint Champion and a product of the QAS and School of Health & Human Performance Talent Identification Program run out of Rockhampton in 2003.
"The Rockhampton Cycling Club’s registered number of junior female riders is very low and we hope that Bike Chicks will assist in increasing the number of women cyclists, whether it be for fitness, recreation or to compete," said a partner of the School, Anouska Edwards. "The Come and Try Cycling Day is merely a taste test of how much fun cycling is and all you need is your own bike and a helmet to take part!" added Bright.
The Come and Try Cycling Day will lead in to a 5-6 month cycling school aimed at developing higher level cycling skills in the girls as well as education on bike safety, nutrition, good health and well being.
Bike Chicks Cycle School will be held at Central Queensland University and costs $25 which includes a goodie bag, lunch, cycling information, cycling sessions, guest speakers and video displays. For more information or a registration form, e-mail bikechicks@hotmail.com.
