Thank you to stall holders and members of the public who attended the 3rd Brisbane Bicycle Swap Meet, held by TRACTION on 28th April at West End. 

The meet was held as part of Bicycle Queensland's "Bike Week" event and was supported by Brisbane City Council's award-winning "Cycling Brisbane" program.

The swap meets provide the chance for the Brisbane cycling enthusiast community to come together to share all types of bicycles and bike parts. They also help raise much needed funds for TRACTION helping it in its mission to empower young people in need. Stall holder fees and gold coin entry fees are donated to TRACTION.

Special thanks to Richard and other TRACTION mentors for organising the event and for Pensar (The Infrastructure People) - long time supporter of TRACTION, for allowing the swap meet to be held in their car park at West End.

TRACTION intends holding 3 swap meets this year, so to keep in the loop, please follow @bnebicycleswap on Facebook.

TRACTION was delighted to cater for the crew at the "BMX Balance" coaching clinic held at the Centenary Plains BMX Club on 14th April. The coaches comprised some of the world's best BMX riders including Olympic gold medallist Connor Fields, Khalen Young, Warwick Stevenson, Tony Harvey, Jamie Gary, Trent Jones, Brett Scruse and Bruce Morris. The team of coaches were wonderful role models and generous with their time.

Thanks to Bruce and the team that organised and delivered the event. It was a wonderful opportunity for riders aged 8 - 16 years to develop their skills is a supportive environment.

A highlight of the day for the TRACTION team was seeing Matthew, former TRACTION participant, involved in his first ever BMX coaching clinic. He loved it and is joining the club to get involved in BMX riding and racing. He even got to meet and grab a photo with Connor Fields. 

Whilst TRACTION's job was to keep the riders and coaches fed and watered, the TRACTION team also had a blast on the pump track!

Heartfelt thanks to Rotary Brisbane Inner West for donating $3,000 to fund 3 scholarship positions for students from Yeronga State High School to participate in TRACTION. Community support like this means TRACTION can keep helping people go places!

Here's TRACTION Rotary member John presenting Ben and participants from Yeronga High with a cheque. 

TRACTION was delighted to run the sixth school holiday bicycle build 'boot camp' for participants from Access Community Services over the Easter break. Access Community Services supports people newly arrived to Australia with a  focus on helping young people get involved in the local community through education and training, sport and employment pathways.

​The TRACTION boot camp provided a wonderful chance for participants to build new skills and confidence. They also got to keep the bikes they built gaining freedom, independence and a healthy lifestyle that comes with having your own two wheels!

Special thanks to TRACTION Mentors Luke, Karl and Richard who lead a wonderful program - the first time we've hosted a group from Access Community at the new Alexandra Hills workshop.

​It's great to hear the success stories of TRACTION participants. Rachel (Guidance Counsellor at the school of former TRACTION participant Lachlan) shared some fantastic news recently.

"Lachlan recently secured a construction apprenticeship and he’s loving the hard physical work and learning new skills. This is a really great outcome. His involvement in TRACTION gave him the confidence to go for this position so many thanks to everyone who had contact with him!"

Here's a shot of Lachlan attending the TRACTION program in Moorooka with other participants from the Scenic Rim.

55 participants graduated the Bike Build program in Term One. TRACTION participants forge new skills and confidence as they breathe new life into bikes donated by the community. Participants keep the bikes they create and upon graduation from the program realise a sense of freedom and independence. TRACTION helps people go places!

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