Following a wonderful 2 ½ years delivering programs at Shed 27 in Capalaba, we've been fortunate to secure space in the former horticulture compound at the Alexandra Hills TAFE campus. The TRACTION team fit out the new workshop over the Christmas break ready for term 1 kick off in January. 

Thank you to our supporters, local MP's (including Federal member for Bowen, Andrew Laming; State member for Lytton, Joan Pease), mentors, volunteers and school representatives who attended a sneak peak at the new TRACTION workshop at Alexandra Hills yesterday. 

Thank you to the Redland City Bulletin for featuring this story about the LIONS Club of Capalaba's support for TRACTION. Thanks to President Jan for leading the charge! Click HERE to see the online version.

It was awesome to have Nick and Adam from the Capalaba store of national bicycle retail group 99 Bikes visit  TRACTION today. Experienced bicycle technicians and shop managers, the pair shared how they'd forged successful careers in the growing business, started in Brisbane and now with stores throughout the country.

Six lucky year 7, 8 & 9 students from Wellington Point State High School, currently participating in the TRACTION Bicycle Build program, were amongst the first to hear about new Bicycle Mechanic Apprenticeship opportunities launched recently by 99 Bikes. The company will be recruiting aspiring bicycle mechanics and supporting them through a rigorous training program under the expert supervision of 99 Bikes staff.

The TRACTION Bicycle Build program provides the chance for students to refurbish a bicycle donated from the community over an eight to ten week period as part of their school curriculum. Students get to experience a sense of success, build confidence and develop practical, team and interpersonal skills.

Students showed Nick and Adam how they are progressing with their own bike builds at TRACTION and asked questions about their experience in the industry, including how Nick got so many "jerseys" on his name badge.

Support from the business community is appreciated and helps TRACTION participants get a better understanding about what is required to be successful in the workplace and to build their own future.

99 Bikes have been avid supporters of the TRACTION program since it kicked off in 2015. In 2016, 84 new bikes were donated to TRACTION (Read More) and stores (like Browns Plains) across Southeast Queensland routinely provide second-hand bikes that have been donated by their customers to TRACTION for participants to work on as projects.

Visit the team at 99 Bikes Capalaba:
Web: www.99bikes.com.au/capalaba-bike-shop
Address: 1 Moreton Bay Rd, Capalaba
Phone: (07) 3156 2499

​Wellington Point State High School has joined the TRACTION program and its first students attended our Capalaba workshop last Friday to participate in the Bicycle Build program.

Mentors Simon, Dale and Sara were delighted to spend the day with the students, showing them the workshop and introducing them to their first bike projects. Participants stripped and re-assembled BMX bikes donated to TRACTION by retail group 99 Bikes for TRACTION to use for training purposes. 

Wellington Point High is the sixth school to weigh into the program at Capalaba and the six students join 24 others participating in TRACTION at “Shed 27” each week.

In 2016, TRACTION participants serviced special purpose bicycles for students of the Redland District Special School. It gave TRACTION participants to chance to give back to the community and help others. Read story.

We're stoked that the first students from the school have now joined TRACTION as participants in the Bicycle Build program at the Capalaba workshop. In a partnership with Cleveland District State High School, students from Redlands Special School will participate alongside students from Cleveland High as peers.

All students from Redlands Special School face the challenge of intellectual disability and many also experience physical disabilities. It is fantastic that students from Cleveland State High have embraced their new team mates as part of TRACTION. 

The first students to participate are Travis and Jessy. Principal Andrew accompanies them one day a week when they spend time 'on the tool's in the TRACTION workshop. 

The first students from Alex Hills SHS started the TRACTION bicycle build program on Friday 17th February. Alex Hills SHS is a well established school located in the bayside city of Redlands. It’s a dynamic, innovative organisation where staff strive together with students and their families to ensure that all students are offered the educational experience which best meets their individual needs.

​The Alex Hills SHS team believe that that happy students learn best, and the participants at TRACTION certainly seemed happy to get started in the program.

We are delighted to be working with the professional team of bicycle mechanics and trainers at Velo Academy. Velo Academy is lead by professional bicycle mechanic Rob Dean. Rob recently visited TRACTION’s Capalaba workshop spending the day with participants from Victoria Point State High School. Rob shared his story in the industry and helped participants on their bike projects.

Velo Academy provide a range of industry recognised, professional bicycle mechanic courses for those interested in forging a career as mechanics and sales people in the bicycle industry. Velo Academy is a division of the national retailer and TRACTION supporter 99 Bikes, and training through the Velo Academy is a potential gateway for young people to employment.

Velo Academy believes in collaborative, supportive and hands-on learning approaches and makes a perfect partner for TRACTION. One area that we’re exploring with Rob is the potential for selected TRACTION participants to undertake formal training courses at Velo, potentially on a scholarship basis.

TRACTION Bike Mentor Mark recently completed a week long training course at Velo and was extremely impressed with the standard of facilities and the training provided. 

We’re looking forward to working with Rob and the team in the year ahead.

For more information about Velo Academy and the range of courses it provides, visit www.veloacademy.com.au

A group of high school students is servicing and repairing 15 bicycles for children with special needs at the Redland District Special School through local non-profit community program, Traction.

The bikes are specially made to suit the needs of students that have physical and/or intellectual disabilities.

Students from Capalaba State College and Victoria Point High School have completed servicing and repairs of the first five bikes, while Cleveland State High School students are currently undertaking the same works on a second batch as part of their involvement in the Traction program.

Traction founder Sandy Murdoch said this was representative of how young people were making a difference to the community through their participation in the Traction program.

“Traction is an action-based learning environment but this experience has given our young people an insight to the major challenges others have to face and overcome,” he said.

“It allows participants to develop new practical skills while contributing in a positive way to the local community.

“Special needs schools are stretched for funds and with the support of Traction, these bikes have been brought back from disrepair and put safely into use.”

Many of the bikes have been configured as tricycles for stability and modified with back braces for support and reinforced handlebars. The service and repair procedure involves cleaning, checking for wear and tear, and replacing damaged parts such as chains and brake pads.

Redland District Special School Deputy Principal Helena Taskis said this initiative had significantly benefited students.

“Having the bikes repaired and in good working order means students can enjoy safe use and enjoy the outdoors,” she said.

“We hope to have a long term partnership with Traction where they will engage in the ongoing maintenance of the bikes.”

Traction is a program run under the auspices of not-for-profit organisation Briswest Care, a charitable institution that works to help struggling individuals and families in the local community.

To make a donation or sponsor the program you can visit www.traction.community or phone 3102 9565. 

To see the original story as it featured in the Redland City Bulletin, click HERE

A GROUP of high school students is servicing and repairing 15 bicycles for handicapped children at the Redland District Special School through local non-profit community program, TRACTION. 

The bikes are specially made to suit the needs of students that have physical and/or intellectual disabilities.

Students from Capalaba State College and Victoria Point High School have completed servicing and repairs of the first five bikes, while Cleveland State High School students are currently undertaking the same works on a second batch as part of their involvement in the TRACTION program.

TRACTION founder Sandy Murdoch said this was representative of how young people were making a difference to the community through their participation in the TRACTION program. 

“TRACTION is an action-based learning environment but this experience has given our young people an insight to the major challenges others have to face and overcome,” he said. 

“It allows participants to develop new practical skills while contributing in a positive way to the local community.

“Special needs schools are stretched for funds and with the support of TRACTION, these bikes have been brought back from disrepair and put safely into use.”

Many of the bikes have been configured as tricycles for stability and modified with back braces for support and reinforced handlebars. The service and repair procedure involves cleaning, checking for wear and tear, and replacing damaged parts such as chains and brake pads.

Redland District Special School Deputy Principal Helena Taskis said this initiative had significantly benefitted students.

“Having the bikes repaired and in good working order means students can enjoy safe use and enjoy the outdoors,” she said. 

“We hope to have a long term partnership with TRACTION where they will engage in the ongoing maintenance of the bikes.”