What does it cost?
These figures are approximate, vary by region, and exclude GST. Based on an average school of 300 students:
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 50 bikes | $18,000 | Number of bikes may vary |
| 80 helmets | $2,000 | Mix of small, medium, large |
| Riding track (concrete/asphalt), 300m | $85,000 | Length affects cost |
| Bike storage | $15,000 | Converted container, if needed |
| Average total | $120,000 |
Budget around $3,000 a year for ongoing maintenance, and build that into your operational budget from the start.
Costs can also shift by region. Bikes and helmets are priced fairly consistently nationwide, but track-building costs can vary significantly between areas, and even between contractors in the same town. The riding track is usually the biggest variable.
Ways to bring the cost down
- Build one or two tracks rather than all three
- Buy a smaller fleet
- Buy fewer helmets (we wouldn’t recommend kids sharing, though)
- Use storage space your school already has
- Get track construction done in kind or at cost by a local company
- Source track material (limestone, for example) in kind or at cost from a local supplier
Get at least three quotes for every item. Talking to nearby schools that have already run a project is also useful. They’ll have real feedback on suppliers and contractors, and seeing a finished project in person gives you a much better feel for what’s possible.
Who funds these projects?
Funding has come from a mix of sources over the years:
- Community groups, foundations, and trusts (the Lion Foundation, for example)
- Local councils (increasingly common)
- Businesses, particularly local contractors
- Government agencies
- Health providers
- Individuals and non-profits, including Bike On NZ itself
- Parents and the wider school community
Where you can, hold off building until most of the funding’s secured. It makes the whole build smoother and often lets different contractors share equipment and time on-site.
Some schools have also been able to put Ministry of Education 5-Year Agreement (5YA) or 10-Year Property Plan (10YPP) funding toward building tracks. Read the government press release.
Getting Board approval
Confirm Board of Trustees approval before fundraising or building starts. Most funders will want written confirmation of BOT support, along with a minuted resolution covering where, who, and how much you’re applying for.
Showing funders that your school has committed to the $3,000 a year maintenance budget goes a long way too. It tells them the project’s built to last.