Free bikes are up for grabs for Whittlesea teenagers keen to gain fitness and “a ticket to happiness”.
The Happiness Cycle – a joint Bicycle Network and Coca-Cola South Pacific fitness initiative – was launched in Redleap Reserve, Mill Park, on Friday morning with a cycling tour of the municipality.
Bicycle Victoria (BV) approached Whittlesea council youth development officer Blair Colwell last year about the program, which aims to help teenagers overcome some of the barriers they face to take part in physical activity.
BV believes if they are healthy, they will feel happy, too.
The Happiness Cycle is being rolled out nationally to drive increased and sustained physical activity levels among 15-to-16-year-olds.
Under the program, 300 free bikes will be handed out in each municipality to teenagers who have pre-registered their involvement.
The program asks in return for a commitment to physical activity goals. So far, 260 young people have registered in Whittlesea.
Three types of bikes are up for grabs: BMX, mountain bikes and single-speed bikes.
Those who win must complete a short survey at three, six and 12-month intervals to monitor their physical activity and attitudes to sport.
Mr Colwell said the council was grateful Bicycle Victoria had asked Whittlesea to be involved in the program.
