VASSE Primary school is putting wheels into motion.
Last Wednesday the school hosted a bike to school day and invited along special guest and Tour de France rider Robbie McEwen to talk to the students about cycling.
Teachers and volunteers formed a bike bus in the morning, safely transporting nearly 40 children across the Busselton Bypass thanks to the help of Main Roads WA and local police.
Activities for the day included dressing their bike, popping wheelies and cycle education, as well as a demonstration of a penny farthing bicycle in action.
The school instilled a four week bike skills program early in the year with funding being sought to help students without a bike gain access to one for educational purposes.
Cycling program organiser and South West Cycle Club member Lyndon Miles said the school would ideally like to focus on health, fitness and create a nutrition program for students as well, which is in the works for next year and all going to plan.
Robbie McEwen’s visit to the school was made possible through the support of the South West Cycle Club and school members.
With the help of Bunbury triathlete Ryan Bailie, Mr McEwen emphasised the need for safe cycling and the importance of always wearing a helmet.
This didn’t deter students from asking their favourite questions along the lines of what’s the worst crash that has ever happened and what body parts have been damaged in Mr McEwen and Mr Bailie’s career.
Mr McEwen fielded a number of questions from students to do with the highlights and lowlights of his career.
“I’ve come last plenty of times… that’s all part of cycling,” Mr McEwen said.
“Best view from the Tour de France? The inside of my eyelids when I finally got to sleep.”
Winning the green jersey on three occasions was a defining moment for Mr McEwen, comparing it to the holy grail for sprint cyclists.
Students thanked the guest speakers through a deafening round of applause.
