BQ Meets: Sherwood Community Kindy

Sherwood Community Kindergarten deliver a play-based curriculum as part of their teaching methodology, and that includes bike riding, especially for how cycling can build a sense of community and independence. This year, thanks to funding from the Department of Transport and Main Roads’ Bike Riding Encouragement Program, the kindy ran a nine-week bike skills course that got every child riding confidently.

“For us, it’s not just about riding a bike,” says Skye, the Director at Sherwood Community Kindy. “It’s providing a skill for life. You want to provide that active transport ability for their life. Bike riding is like walking – it’s just something that we do as part of our community.”

Bikes are a part of life

Sherwood Kindy has always encouraged active pursuits, given they use nature play and are right next to a park, but this program took it to a new level. “From day one we’ve been riding in some shape or form at the kindergarten,” Skye explains. “It’s about normalising it, so it’s not just something special we do one day – bikes just become part of life.”

The children’s response has been enthusiastic. “Some of the children have already said, ‘When we get older, we want to be bike riders,’” Skye says. “They’re really engaged and it’s not gendered either. The girls are just as strong as the boys in their riding and their skill set as well. We’re promoting that it’s for everybody.”

The nine-week program was developed externally and focused on building core skills: balance, coordination, resilience, and confidence. Out of 22 children, 14 could already ride at the start. “Seven were non-riders,” Skye recalls. “Now everyone can ride without training wheels. How amazing is that? In week one, one child said, ‘I hate my bike, I don’t want to ride,’ and then got the skills and confidence the next day and said, ‘I love it.’”

That transformation has been powerful for children and families alike. “Every single child has been riding,” Skye says. “If they didn’t have a bike, the coaches brought in bikes for them so they could practise on one that was the right fit. A lot of the children have bikes that are too big – the ‘you’ll grow into it’ bike – but that doesn’t build confidence. You need the right size bike now to learn properly.”

Community effort

The program has united families around riding. “Before children even enrol, we tell parents this is something we do,” Skye says. “When parents visit the kindergarten, they see us out riding. And in the afternoons, the kids take their parents to the park to show them what they’ve learned. It’s building skills and it’s building community. When we are out in the park people come out and say, ‘Wow, look at them all riding.’”

Coaches played a vital role too, bringing in appropriately sized bikes and creating a fun environment. “We had a cyclocross course in the park with ramps and hurdles,” Skye says. “The kids had to dismount and run up with their bikes. It was brilliant and I’m sure there are some champions in the making already!”

Sherwood’s program took a holistic approach to riding and using bikes, but it started with road safety awareness. “We spoke about all those safety issues first,” Skye explains. “All the kids know that if there’s a pedestrian, we have to stop. We looked at signs, we practised ringing our bell at the right time, walking the course before riding it. It’s about teaching them to be safe and respectful road users from the beginning, and how to make the best decisions.”

That approach has been well received by the wider community. “People have been very respectful to the children when they’re riding in the park,” Skye says. “And we are always polite – we’re following the laws and showing that children can be part of the space safely.”

Running the program wasn’t without hurdles, and Sherwood Community Kindy has some advantages given their location. “Space was a big consideration,” Skye admits. “We’re lucky to be next to a park that’s not very busy. For other kindy services finding a safe, close space might be a challenge – but it’s a problem worth solving.”

Funding was another factor, as it meant the kindy could enlist an external group to deliver the sessions. “The grant was $5,000,” she says. “Which is not too bad. For what we got – more or less every child riding a bike – that’s spectacular.”

Skye is already looking ahead. “I’ve found another grant opportunity for next year because we want to continue this program. If not, we’ll fundraise or talk to our local members. We don’t want this to be a one-off – it’s something we do because we believe everyone should be confident to ride a bike.”

Getting rolling

For other kindys considering a similar program, Skye’s advice is simple: just do it. “This is the future. You have to get not just the children, but the families active. It’s not just for now, being able to ride a bike is a lifelong skill. It builds confidence, it builds community, and it’s so amazing to see the joy on the kids when they’re able to ride.”

She also believes programs like this could be more widespread. “Brisbane City Council doesn’t offer anything like this for this age group,” she says. “Even the coaches hadn’t taught this age group before – but the little kids can ride. This is where you get the foundation skills.”

Ultimately, the goal is bigger than one kindergarten. “We need to get back to making sure every child can ride a bike before they start school,” Skye says. “It gives them joy, confidence, and a way to connect with their community. We should be encouraging it from the very beginning.”