A Victorian State Government Transport Connections grant will see additional bike racks installed at Lake Wendouree and a bicycle refurbishment program established at the Ballarat YMCA.
The City of Ballarat has received a $75,000 grant from the Transport Connections Innovation Fund, with the aim of improving participation for people with limited access to transport and building sustainable regional partnerships.
The grant will be used to provide additional bike racks for cyclists spending time in and around Lake Wendouree and enable the Ballarat YMCA to manage a bicycle refurbishment program.
The Ballarat Rack-A-Bike program will see the design and construction of some innovative street art that doubles as a functional bike rack. These will be placed at suitable locations around Lake Wendouree and will allow cyclists to ‘hang’ or secure their bike whilst undertaking other activities on the Lake’s foreshore.
The new bike racks at Lake Wendouree will blend into the surrounding environment, with swans included as part of the design. The new bike racks will be constructed and installed over the next two months.
The Ballarat reCYCLE Program will see the YMCA, in partnership with a wide range of community groups, come together to restore old bikes that will be provided to young people in need throughout the city.
As part of the program, young people will learn mechanical and refurbishment skills to restore the bikes, while recipients will undertake bike safety, riding skills and basic maintenance training. The program has commenced at the Ballarat YMCA in Wendouree.
