Education Minister Sabine Winton steps in to overturn ban on bikes lacking chain guards in public schools

Education Minister Sabine Winton has intervened to overturn a ban on WA public schools using bikes or tricycles without chain guards. She stepped in after a safety alert the Education Department sent out last week telling schools to “remove any bicycle without chain guarding from education program use, effective immediately” prompted claims it had gone too far. The ban followed an improvement notice issued by the State’s work safety regulator after two primary school-aged children were injured while riding tricycles in the space of 18 months. One child had the tip of their toe severed and the other had a gash to their toe. Both required emergency medical treatment. Ms Winton said on Thursday that she had ordered the department to retract its advice regarding the use of bikes and trikes without chain guards. “My expectation is that bikes and trikes continue to be used in school programs, with a focus on implementing strong safety practices,” she said. “I am confident that schools already work hard to ensure that safety measures are implemented to protect children. “Bikes play an important role in encouraging physical activity and helping students build confidence while having fun outdoors. “The department will clarify the recommendations with WorkSafe and provide an update to schools on the actions required as soon as possible.” On Thursday, the department sent an email to all school principals to clarify that bicycles and tricycles could continue being used in public schools. “The issue that has been raised with the department, by WorkSafe, relates to where there is no chain guard AND the child does not wear the appropriate footwear,” the email said. “We encourage schools to continue to implement appropriate bike safety when delivering educational programs involving bikes. “The department will issue further guidance and clarity to schools in the near future.” WorkSafe had said its improvement notice had been linked to the safety of bicycles and tricycles used by children with special needs. It had not called for chain guards to be mandated on all bikes, but it had included a non-mandatory recommendation for “safety measures such as chain guards”. WA peak bike riding body WestCycle had called for the order to be revoked, claiming it would prevent kids from taking part in bike-based education in public schools.