Minister for Sport and Recreation Yvette Berry with Abilities Unlimited Australia board chair Chris Nunn and the team from Abilities Unlimited in Evatt on 5 July. Photo: Supplied.
The ACT Government has announced it will give disability sports provider Abilities Unlimited Australia $425,000 to build a new 370-metre hard-surface bike track and a bicycle storage shed nearby in the Belconnen suburb of Evatt.
The funding has been provided through the government’s 2024 Sport and Recreation Investment Scheme.
The announcement comes just three months before the ACT election in October.
“Abilities Unlimited Australia is absolutely delighted to support the development of a community facility that will enhance road safety awareness of all children and their families,” Chris Nunn, chairman of the Abilities Unlimited Australia board, said.
“The project has been a dream of Abilities Unlimited Australia volunteers for several years and with this funding from the ACT Government, it will now come to fruition.”
The new accessible Road Safety Learn to Ride bike track and bike storage shed will be built at the Evatt community playground to help children of all abilities learn to ride.
Minister for Sport and Recreation Yvette Berry said road safety awareness was essential for young cyclists.
“This new community facility will provide a safe environment that will allow inclusive instruction for children of all abilities,” Minister Berry said.
“An active, healthy lifestyle is a basic right for all children, and we want to support organisations like Abilities Unlimited Australia to provide services for children to make that possible.
“This new funding through the ACT Government’s 2024 Sport and Recreation Investment Scheme will provide a safe facility for the use of the entire community.”
Construction of the bike path begins next month. Photo: Supplied.
Construction is set to start next month on the new path that will make learning to ride safer for children participating in the AUA’s Cyclabilities program.
The Cyclabilities program is an inclusive initiative for children of all abilities that teaches cycling skills and fosters social, emotional and physical development.
The program, held on Saturday mornings, currently has more than 100 participants and it is expected that with the addition of the new hard-surface path, participation will grow.
While open to the entire community, the new facility will also allow AUA to store bikes and other equipment in the new storage shed on site.
Abilities Unlimited Australia provides tailored programs for children with disabilities, promoting inclusion and empowering every child to discover their potential through sport.
Its one-to-one and small-group sports programs are designed to meet the unique needs and abilities of each child.
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