Selwyn Times: March 07, 2017

SELWYN TIMES Latest Christchurch news at www. .kiwi
Tuesday March 7 2017 11
Bid to lift motor-cyclist safety
SELWYN motor-cyclists are
being offered the opportunity to
develop their skills so they can
be safer on the road.
The district council is offering
motor-cyclists the opportunity
to receive vouchers so they can
attend motor-cycle skills training
for free. Sessions are being
held in March and April.
The risk of being killed or
injured on the road is 21 times
higher for a motor-cyclist than
for a car driver, according to the
2016 New Zealand Household
Travel Survey.
From 2012 to 2016, there
were 47 motor-cycle crashes in
Selwyn, resulting in five fatalities,
27 serious injuries and 25
minor injuries.
District road safety coordinator
Ngaire Tinning said
the figures were concerning
and the district council had
originally offered the ‘Live to
Ride’ training in 2013 to try to
reduce the number and severity
of crashes in Selwyn. A total of
47 Selwyn motor-cyclists have
participated in the programme
since 2013.
While motor-cyclist numbers
are increasing, the number
of motor-cyclists involved in
crashes in Selwyn from 2012 to
2016 has now reduced from 58
in the 2007-2011 period.
UPSKILLING: The ‘Ride Forever’ training sessions will provide the opportunity to attend
motorcycle skills coaching.
The ‘Ride Forever’ training being
offered this year provides the
opportunity to attend motor-cycle
skills coaching, where people
can refresh their skills, and learn
and practice new techniques.
The courses will be delivered
by New Zealand Transport
Agency-qualified trainers and
will include training to develop
braking, handling and safe driving
skills. Course options are at
four different levels – gold, silver,
bronze and urban.
Mrs Tinning said the course
offered motor-cyclists the opportunity
to learn how to assess
risks, adopt safer rider positions
on the road to increase their
visibility to drivers and avoid
actions that may cause crashes
while riding.
“The course provides a
hands-on opportunity to learn
practical skills that can be applied
throughout the rest of your
riding life,” she said.
The courses are already
subsidised by Ride Forever. The
district council has 20 vouchers
available for local residents,
which will cover the remaining
$20 or $50 cost usually paid by
the motor-cyclist.
The vouchers are valid until
May 31.
•To register or find out
more about the vouchers
and training sessions,
contact ngaire.tinning@
selwyn.govt.nz or phone 347
2901.
Indoor sports
facility a step
closer to reality
• By Tom Doudney
AN INDOOR sporting courts
facility at Rolleston’s Foster Park is
closer to becoming a reality.
The facility would cater to sports
like netball and basketball.
A report to tomorrow’s district
council meeting recommends appointing
a 10-person project steering
group, completing an options
and budget analysis, and confirming
building specifications.
The Foster Park Masterplan consulted
on in 2011-2012 recognised
the need for such a facility and
proposed that it could be located
either by the Selwyn Aquatic Centre
or at the Brooklands Dr end of
Foster Park. Subsequent analysis determined
the site next to the aquatic
centre would be too small.
The report to tomorrow’s meeting
cited Selwyn’s rapid population
growth and youthful demographics
compared to other districts as the
reason why it was needed.
It proposed that the steering
group include representatives
from the Selwyn Netball Centre,
the Selwyn United Football Club,
Canterbury Basketball and the
Selwyn Sports Trust, as well as Lincoln
Event Centre manager Ginny
Bowden, Selwyn Aquatic Centre
manager Kathy Moore and other
district council staff members.
SMALL CHANGE
MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE
Twice a year we clear the Community Fund collection boxes at
Christchurch Airport and share the money across the community.
Kiwi dollars, international currency, small change from your cup
of coffee, plus a top-up donation from us, all add up for local
charities and community projects.
Charities and community groups
can apply for funds at
christchurchairport.co.nz/communityfund
180 Degrees Trust uses outdoor adventures to inspire
and teach life skills to vulnerable Canterbury youth, to
develop self-awareness, confidence and decision making
skills and so initiate a turnaround in young people’s lives.
Christchurch Airport proudly supports the 180 Degrees
Trust through the Community Fund.
Montessori & Early
Childhood Preschool
• We Offer a Friendly, Fun and supportive
environment – only 5 minutes from Rolleston.
• We believe that Tamariki thrive in a peaceful,
structured and caring environment, full of fun
and challenges.
• We Offer focused, balanced curriculums
that prepare Tamariki for the next step in
their learning journey.
• We value diversity within our Tamariki and
their whānau and this is reflected in our
whānau focused philosophy.
• We have 3 well resourced classrooms,
caring for Tamariki from 6 weeks to 6 years
of age. We are proud of our large, natural
playgrounds that offer challenges for all
ages.
Call in to visit us today, meet the teachers
and have a look around our school
ENROL
NOW
FOR
2017
For enrolments please contact Jasmine or Kylie on 347-6161
Visit us at 643 Burnham School Road
Download forms from www.burnham-montessori.co.nz