Back on track through practical learning

Young people across Southern Tasmania are building confidence, developing practical skills and strengthening their connection to school through the Tasmanian Bike Collective's Mobile Bike Collective program, supported by the Tasmanian Community Fund.

The program has enjoyed a strong start, delivering its first workshops in Kingston, Bridgewater and Goodwood, where more than 30 students have taken part.

Participants work alongside mentors to repair and build bicycles while developing communication, teamwork, problem-solving and emotional regulation skills.

Each session begins with students setting a personal goal, such as staying focused or remaining calm, before reflecting on their progress at the end. More than 90 per cent of participants have reported making positive progress towards those goals.

Tasmanian Bike Collective Executive Officer Anthony Edwards said the response from students and schools had been overwhelmingly positive.

"We've been encouraged by the enthusiasm of both students and schools in welcoming us into their communities," he said.

"Some of the biggest highlights have been seeing young people learn to ride a bike for the first time and watching them work together to solve problems and encourage one another through challenges."

Mr Edwards said the hands-on nature of the program helped break down barriers that often exist in traditional learning environments.

"Mechanical tasks provide a low-pressure way to build authentic relationships with young people," he said.

"By creating a safe environment where they feel respected and useful, we're helping transform disengagement into confidence, resilience and a more positive connection to school."

The impact is already being felt by participants.

One Kingston High student, who struggles with literacy and rarely attends English classes, proudly completed a worksheet identifying bicycle parts.

"This is the most writing I have done this year,” the student said.

Another student, who typically attends school only two-thirds of the time, has maintained perfect attendance throughout the program.

The program concludes with a celebration where participants receive the bicycles they have built alongside their families.

Following one recent ceremony, a school principal shared it was the first time they had witnessed a genuinely positive interaction between one young person and their parent during the student's time at school.

Looking ahead, the Mobile Bike Collective will continue expanding into regional and rural communities, giving more young people the opportunity to develop practical skills, confidence and resilience while building stronger connections to school, their community and future employment opportunities.