XLR8 Motocross Program

The XLR8 program is a partnership between Cockburn Youth Services, the Western Australian Police Force and the Coastal Motorcycle Club, with teenage participants being referred to the program by the Department of Communities and the Department of Youth Justice.
 
WA Police provides confiscated motorbikes for the use of participants at the Coastal Motorcycle Club's track in Henderson, where club volunteers provide motorbike lessons in a controlled environment.
 

Program Goals

The XLR8 program is designed to encourage young participants to set and meet individualised goals in order for them to participate in motorbike riding sessions. These goals include:

• Improved school attendance
• Reduced antisocial behaviour
• Reduced offending

If participants do not meet their goals (i.e. skip school or get in trouble with police), staff use their engagement with the program to provide directed support, encourage positive behaviour change, and improve problem-solving and decision-making skills.

What do participants learn?

Participants are taught a wide range of skills, including:

• Safe riding techniques
• Conducting pre-start checks on bikes
• Riding skills such as attack positioning, corning, race starts and more
• Basic first aid
• Leadership skills
• Teamwork
• Communication 

 

Program outcomes

Since the program began in 2019, 13 young people aged 14-18 from the Cockburn area have participated in the program. This has reduced illegal and unsafe motorbike riding in the Cockburn area and an increase in school attendance by participants. The program has also helped to divert boredom and strengthen participants' connection with social supports.
 
Youth Outreach Worker Ben Tanoa, who helped develop the program, says about the participants:
"They've had the opportunity to work with police officers and passionate motorbike enthusiasts, plus learn from the mechanical team at City’s depot about how to look after a motorbike. They’ve had to strive to earn a place in this program, which has helped them work out their priorities, putting their education and future direction under the spotlight."
 

More information

For more information about the Cockburn XLR8 Motorbike program, email us or phone 08 9411 3888. 

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