Disabled Canberra children will soon be able to learn to ride on an all-abilities bike path.

Abilities Unlimited Australia, a non-profit organisation providing tailored sports programs for disabled children, has received $425,000 from the ACT Government’s 2024 Sport and Recreation Investment Scheme to construct a 370-metre hard surface Road Safety Learn to Ride bike track and a bike storage shed at the Evatt community playground.

“Abilities Unlimited Australia is absolutely delighted to support the development of a community facility that will enhance road safety awareness of all children and their families,”  Chris Nunn, chairman of Abilities Unlimited Australia, said.

“The project has been a dream of Abilities Unlimited Australia volunteers for several years, and with this funding from the ACT Government, it will now come to fruition.”

Construction will start next month. The bike path will be used by children in the AUA’s Cyclabilities program, an inclusive cycling initiative for children of all abilities that teaches cycling skills and fosters social, emotional, and physical development.

More than 100 children take part each Saturday morning, and participation is expected to grow once the bike path is complete.

Road safety awareness was essential for young bike riders, Yvette Berry, Minister for Sport and Recreation, said.

“This new community facility will provide a safe environment that will allow inclusive instruction for children of all abilities,” Ms Berry said.

“An active, healthy lifestyle is a basic right for all children, and we want to support organisations like Abilities Unlimited Australia to provide services for children to make that possible.”