Putting safety first when learning to ride

The City of Mount Gambier will deliver a learn to ride space at the Mount Gambier Railway Lands in the first quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year following endorsement at the June 2024 Council meeting.

The learn to ride design includes elements typical of suburban, city and freeway settings, providing riders with realistic scenarios to learn from.

Features such as roundabouts, speed bumps, crossings and parking areas will be designed to help children navigate these environments safely.

City of Mount Gambier general manager city infrastructure Barbara Cernovskis said the new learn to ride space would be designed to boost cycling safety and confidence, providing a fun learning experience for children of all ages and teaching riders to navigate the road network confidently.

The learn to ride space is one of three play spaces planned for the Mount Gambier Railway Lands, with draft concept designs for a youth space and nature play space developed for community consultation in July.

“Council’s Sport, Recreation and Open Space Strategy (SROSS) recommends a collaborative development approach for Railway Lands site, ensuring it is fit for purpose and meets the needs of the community,” Ms Cernovskis said.

“Following consultation with the community to understand the vision for the Railway Lands, Council engaged JPE Design Studio to develop a plan that aims to deliver safe, accessible and inclusive play environments for the community plan with the provision of a youth space, nature play and a learn to ride on the railway platform.”

Council acknowledges a $150,000 contribution from Mount Gambier Out of School Hours Care which will go towards the learn to ride project and the design of the youth and nature play spaces at the Railway Lands.