Driving education and training program Braking the Cycle is about to launch in Bundaberg to help young drivers learn the road before getting behind the wheel.
PCYC Queensland’s Braking the Cycle is a community-based state-wide learner program that empowers young people who, due to financial hardship or social barriers, would otherwise be unable to achieve the mandatory 100 hours of supervised driving.
PCYC Bundaberg Braking the Cycle Program Coordinator Rebecca Boreel said the program was introduced across the state in 2012.
Now she's excited to see it being launched in the Bundaberg Region.
She said Braking the Cycle was a volunteer driver mentor program designed to support learner drivers without access to a supervisor or registered vehicle to complete their 100 logbook hours.
The aim of the program is to provide young people with increased employment opportunities, community connection and driver education.
“The cars have just arrived, and we are busy getting ready to start operating next week,” Rebecca said.
“The program is designed to provide knowledge and road smarts to young drivers.”
More Braking the Cycle mentors needed
Rebecca said they currently had three mentors trained and ready to roll with the launch next week, but they were still seeking other mentors to jump behind the wheel and help young people in the Bundaberg Region improve their self-esteem and develop positive road safety attitudes.
“The more mentors we have, the more hours we can have in the cars, teaching and learning life skills to keep everyone safe on the road,” she said.
“The mentors are key to this program – the knowledge and life experience they give to the participants in the program is life changing, both on the road and in their lives as adults.”
She said Braking the Cycle participants could be anyone struggling to complete their 100 hours of driving, and to take part in the program they must have their learner licence and have completed at least 10 hours of driving already.
The program is run at PCYC Bundaberg, Monday to Friday with times dependant on when the volunteer mentors are available.
People interested in becoming a mentor can email Rebecca: rebecca.boreel@pcyc.org.au or phone 4154 2813 or 0409 382 459.
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