Sporting Schools funding opens the door to bike riding for Queensland students

At Rocklea State School in Brisbane's south, learning to ride a bike is more than just picking up a new skill. For many students, it's their first opportunity to get on a bike.

Part of its local community for more than a century, the school supports diverse students, including many students with disability. Located in an area that continues to recover from significant flooding, the school is committed to creating opportunities for every student to participate, build confidence and enjoy being active.

Those opportunities are being created in schools right across Queensland. Over the past 12 months, AusCycling programs delivered through Sporting Schools have engaged more than 700 students across the state, introducing young people to bike riding in fun, supportive and inclusive environments.

Through Sporting Schools funding, Rocklea State School delivered a bike riding program, giving students the opportunity to learn alongside an experienced coach in a supportive school environment. For some, it was their first time on a bike.

Learning to ride takes balance, coordination and persistence. It also takes the confidence to keep trying when things don't go to plan. With encouragement, practice and plenty of determination, students grew more confident with every session.

One moment stood out.

After falling off their bike during a session, a student picked themselves up and said, "Last week I learned how to play an instrument, today I can get up and learn to ride a bike."

It was a simple comment, but it captured something much bigger. A willingness to try something new. The confidence to keep going. The belief that learning doesn't stop when something feels difficult.

Like many Sporting Schools programs delivered across Australia, the bike riding sessions became about more than the activity itself. Students developed perseverance, self-belief and independence while building a practical skill they can continue to use beyond school.

For many students, learning to ride a bike opens up new possibilities, whether that’s riding with friends, exploring the local community or simply experiencing the freedom that comes with riding independently.

At Rocklea State School, the program wasn't just about learning to ride a bike. It was about creating positive experiences through sport, building confidence one session at a time and giving students the opportunity to discover what they're capable of.

Sometimes, all it takes is getting back on the bike.