WANGARATTA Cycling Club is excited to be hosting the new bike skills education program, AusBike, program from next Monday, October 16 at the showgrounds.

Similar to Auswim or Auskick for their respective sports, the AusBike program is designed to teach children aged 5 -12 the basic skills to be able to ride a bike safely and to get kids back on their bikes.

They'll learn about road safety, build essential life skills, and have a whole lot of fun.

AusBike caters for kids with all levels of bike riding experience - whether they're just off training wheels, or more confident riders.

The Gears (or levels) are designed so kids see their skills improve quickly.

Wangaratta Cycling Club president Paul Somerville said riders who go through the program will be confident tackling more challenging rides in no time.

"Registrations are essential and we only have five more places for our first course," he said.

"Our course will be run by Australian representative mountain biker, Riley Corke with assistance from Reuben Smith.

"The course was designed to get children riding their bikes more often but with the correct bike and road safety skills.

"With the extra confidence from the skills learnt from the course, they should be more willing to go riding."

Paul said another reason for the course was that very few children were being taught the correct riding skills.

"Most of us started to learn how to ride with one of our parents running behind us until we didn’t fall down any more," he said.

"After that momentous event, most children are left alone and so don’t develop their skills, riding technique and road safety."

The eight week program commences on Monday, October 16 at 4pm and continues weekly until December 11 with a one week break on the Melbourne Cup long weekend.

Wangaratta Cycling Club will also be conducting mountain bike skills sessions and come and try days at the showgrounds velodrome.

Anytone interested in these programs can contact Paul Somerville on 0490 842 295, email ausbike@auscycling.org.au or visit AusBike website.