A group of Afghan teenagers are learning everything they need to know to become confident bike riders thanks to a new Bendigo program.

The bike workshops are being delivered by the Bendigo Community Health Services Settlement Services team in partnership with Bike Bendigo and the City of Greater Bendigo.

Our Settlement Services case worker Salwa Dastgeer said the girls were loving the workshops.

“They are keen to be confident bike riders,” Salwa said.

“The girls are learning how to ride their bike correctly and the laws and rules they must follow to ride safely.

“They are also getting some tips on how to look after their bike.”

The girls enjoyed the workshops and learning about bike education.

"I loved the workshops because it was fun to ride in a group with my friends," Zahra said.

"The bike education was important because we learned so much about bike rules and safety. We can now ride with confidence," Lailuma said.

"Riding bikes is so good for us. It is fun and exercise. I will ride my bike from home to school and to the shops," Behnoush said.

"I am happy to learn about bike paths as I was not sure how to ride on the busy roads. I can now enjoy riding my bike safely," Asia said.

"I have learnt so much through these workshops. I feel like I am now very confident to ride my bike," Fatemeh said. 

The workshops are designed to encourage the girls to spend time outdoors, increase activity levels, get to schools or the shops and explore their new city safely.

BCHS gives each group member a bike, helmet, pump and drink bottle.

The bikes are donated by the community through the Department of Justice and Regulation Wheels In Motion program which sees young offenders on community corrections repair them for use.

The Wheels In Motion program is supported by the Victoria Police, Eaglehawk Recovery Yard and Moroni’s bikes.

Bendigo Community Health Services runs other road safety and vehicle maintenance workshops for refugees as part of our Settlement Services program.