Oodnadatta Community Bike Program, SA Healthy Towns Challenge Grant Winner 2018/19
Applying organisation
Dunjiba Community Council
Towns/communities where project is situated:
Oodnadatta
Grant purpose
To increase access to community-based physical activity opportunities, with a focus on cycling, and promotion of healthy eating.
Target population
The Oodnadatta community, with a focus on children and young people.
External partner and their role
Bicycle SA: Bicycle SA visited Oodnadatta and delivered its Bike Palya program, based on cycling activities to promote physical activity.
Project outcomes
The project centred around Bikes Palya visiting Oodnadatta for a total of 20 days over four blocks, to deliver school holiday programs, which engaged children and young people in cycling-related activities.
Bicycle SA donated 15 bikes to Dunjiba Council to be used as part of the community’s school holiday program. The bikes will remain the property of the Council to be used on an ongoing basis for the community.
Additional aspects of the project included the construction of Australia’s most remote BMX pump track and the development of curriculum activities for Oodnadatta Aboriginal School that promote healthy eating and physical activity. In addition10 bike maintenance workshops were attended by community members who worked on both the community owned bike fleet and privately owned bikes. The workshops also built the capacity of six Community Development project staff in bike maintenance, further ensuring that all of the bikes remain in good, working condition for ongoing use by the community.
Numerous healthy eating initiatives were delivered in conjunction with well attended public events, celebrating Youth week, Anzac Day, and the opening of the BMX track.
Finally, Bikes Palya was also able to assist Council to ensure Oodnadatta walking trails also cater to cyclists, which will boost participation in the newly established walking and cycling group.
The ongoing bike use and education materials aim to contribute to reducing the rate of diabetes and obesity by addressing the risk factors of poor eating and lack of physical activity, while also contributing to community cohesiveness and interaction.
Photo courtesy of Bicycle SA