In a recent survey from Bathurst Tafe, cycling was the least popular mode of transportation for children getting to school and back home again.

But one of the town’s most well known professional cyclists is taking the passion directly to school students in a bid to see more of them enjoying the thrills of riding.

For most of the year Dean Windsor goes all around the world trying to win races for English based team Rapha Condor.

But in his off season Mr Windsor has been spreading the word around the town about the benefits and joys of cycling.

“Basically it was my Dad’s [Mark] idea, he has spent many years going to school and promoting this idea of getting out on a bike and having a go,” he said.

“During my talks with the kids I focus on the key areas of getting out on a bike, making sure they know about safety aspects and then a little bit of show and tell with a few things they might have seen on television with professional racing.”

As a young child growing up in Bathurst, Dean Windsor said he got an immense sense of joy and freedom from being able to jump on a bike and go for a ride.

It was that earlier exposure to cycling which Dean credits for giving him the spark and determination to get to him to where he is today.

“When I was a kid I was one of a bunch of kids who would ride to school,” he said.

“It wasn’t about racing, it was about having a bit of freedom, being social and a way to get around the town quickly.

“Now riding to school is not that common because there is the perception that it is not safe.

“But you can go out riding and be safe, if parents are worried they can get out on their bike as well and ride with their children.

“That is something that I would like to see, more families enjoying a ride together.”

Although Mr Winsdor’s efforts are bound to have an effect, educating young riders about the joys of cycling and how to do it safely is not a new concept to the Bathurst region.

For more than two decades the Eglinton Public School population has been actively involved in the “Pedal Push” program which promotes bicycle safety and awareness.

Held back in September, Pedal Push involves activities which help children to improve their abilities on a bike and it also gives parents peace of mind.

Students from kindergarten to Year 6 participated in various tasks including tricky obstacle courses, precision riding courses, distance courses and a scanning figure eight courses.

These types of cycling programs are being run in town and have the potential to be rolled out to other schools across Bathurst.

While expanding the program would take time and money, Mr Windsor said he would continue giving his talks to students in order to keep the cycle-friendly movement in motion.

“I think Bathurst is heading in the right direction to becoming more cycling friendly, we already have some nice quiet roads in bushland and around the river,” he said.

“There are some perfect places where kids can get excited about cycling.

“And that is what I am hoping for with these talks, getting people off the computer and enjoying a ride.”