December 14, 2015 (Vancouver, BC) – iRide’s coaching crews are enjoying some well-deserved rest time through the month of December to reflect on the year’s sessions as we finalize our 2016 strategy to increase youth cycling participation across the province in 2016.
To recap our successful year, iRide coached a total of 116 programs ranging from our four-day in-school program, half-day field trips and five-week after-school programs. iRide visited 87 schools and provided 23 additional schools with field trip experiences to indoor cycling facilities in the Lower Mainland.
Our after-school program, a big focus for 2016, was piloted in North Vancouver’s Lynn Valley in May, with 80 students participating and 130 students on a waitlist. We are excited to offer more after-school opportunities this coming year and details will be available in the New Year.
iRide also hosted 5 free community events throughout the summer at key local racing events like BC Superweek and the RBC Whistler GranFondo. In all, iRide reached our annual goal of coaching 10,000 students across the province. Our events ranged from Fernie to Victoria, Smithers to White Rock, and Abbotsford to Whistler.
“One of my favorite weeks of iRide this year was my trip to Armstrong, BC to visit the students at Highland Park Elementary,” says iRide coordinator Ben Chaddock. “I traveled there for 4 days and was hosted by a local teacher and her family. The students were fabulous and the school grounds provided many fun challenges for the students including a large dirt mound on the back-field. Their iRide program was scheduled in preparation for the city’s kids triathlon on that week’s Friday. With their cycling skills topped up, the Highland Park riders battled the town’s sister school, Armstrong Alternate Elementary. This year both Highland Park and Armstrong Alternate have signed up for iRide programs so I hope to make it back to town and level the playing field!”
iRide also provided coaching certification for over 125 new community coaches and we hope to continue this trend moving forward. iRide’s variety of program styles provide a great coach development and initiation tool for those brand new to coaching. This strong base of adult head coaches and youth racers as assistant coaches is really critical to our goal of building sustainable cycling communities across the province.
“Every time I facilitate one of our of Let’s Ride and Basic Cycling skills courses, I learn an amazing new game or teaching technique,” says iRide coordinator Ben Chaddock. “Some of our participants are already seasoned youth coaches who often travel a good distance to fulfill their iRide credentials. This wide range of experience, from brand new coaches to seasoned veterans, provides a valuable experiences for all participants. Our in-class sessions allow coaches the opportunity to share, brainstorm, and refine the beginnings of their coaching philosophy before we head outdoors to build our coaching and speaking abilities. I always get a great feeling when helping these new coaches build skills and confidence through these events.”
Of course without the support of iRide’s sponsors, this program wouldn’t be possible. iRide is working towards a sustainable model where schools eventually cover the costs of their project but in the opening seasons, we aim to build momentum by offering our school programs for free or at great discount. This would be impossible without our generous supporters: thank you! Our program costs $10-12 per student and if your child participated in an iRide program in 2015, we ask that you help us build for the future. You can help us by either a donation to our program or write a thank you letter to one of our sponsors by contacting our coordinator: iride@cyclingbc.net
Again, thank you to all of our sponsors. See you in 2016!
Number of students:
iRide School (9110), Community (160), Private (15), FeildTrips (576) iRide After-School (80)
Number of events:
iRide School (87), Community (4), Private (1), Feild Trips (23) iRide After-School (1)
Number of coaches:
1 Full-time Annual Coordinator, 3 Full-time Seasonal Coaches, 26 Part-time Seasonal Coaches
Number of Volunteers:
25 volunteers
Equipment:
2 Vehicles, 60 bicycles, 60 helmets, stunts
Looking to become involved in iRide as a coach? Cycling BC is hosting an NCCP Let’s Ride and Basic Cycling Skills certification events early in the New Year. If you are a youth athlete or an adult cyclist who would like to become involved, please reach out and contact ben@cyclingbc.net to be added to our Prospective Coach mail-list where you’ll be kept up to date with any upcoming Community Initiation coaching courses. Our full coaching full calendar can be found here.
If you’re a fan of Cycling BC’s iRide program, check us out on Twitter, Instagram, or Donate to support our programs in your area. To learn more about booking a future event, please contact us at iRide@cyclingbc.net or (604) BC-iRide.