October 27/11 10:21 am - IMBA Canada News

Posted by Editoress on 10/27/11
 

IMBA Canada news for the month of October


Nearly two thousand Canadians get on bikes in support of Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day!

The 2011 edition of IMBA’s Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day was a huge success, with more than 1,890 Canadians taking part, according to estimates from event organizers.

Around the globe, more than 230 events took place on the October 1st weekend, with well over 21,000 kids and families in attendance. “We’re very excited about the growth of Take A Kid Mountain Biking Day in Canada, especially since Parks Canada has come on board to promote the program,” said Lora Woolner, IMBA Canada’s executive director. “This is the biggest event that we know of that encourages youth to get outside and ride bikes in a natural setting.”

Across Canada, events were held in conservation areas, provincial parks, and four National Parks – ranging from low-key rides to extravagant events with hundreds of participants joining in the fun. Rides were also held in Australia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa and the United States.

This year marks the eighth installment of the international event — which challenges adults and biking clubs to introduce kids to the sport of mountain biking. Since its inception in 2004, IMBA’s Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day has put an estimated 63,000 kids and adults on bikes.

Many thanks to the supporters of IMBA’s 2011 Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day in Canada: Parks Canada, Sprockids, Trips for Kids, CLIF Bar, Shimano, Specialized and Trek, who continue to support our efforts in getting kids outside and on bikes.



Apply for a 2012 IMBA Canada Trail Care Crew visit

The visit request application for IMBA Canada Trail Care Crew's 2012 season is now online. We invite all interested IMBA Canada member clubs, Trans Canada Trail affiliate groups, Parks Canada sites, and other land managers to apply now. The application deadline is midnight EST on Nov 15, 2011.

When selecting Trail Care Crew visit locations we consider many factors, including input from IMBA Canada staff and representatives, land managers, past crew visits and IMBA members. We regret that we can not accommodate all visit requests.

If you have any questions about the program, please email program coordinator, Rachael.raven[at]imba.com.

• General info on the program  

• Download the Host Information Kit, (note:  This link is currently NOT working - IMBA Canada has been notified) which includes program information, event descriptions and all host responsibilities. **You MUST read this package thoroughly before applying for a visit**

•  Become an IMBA Canada member in order to be eligible to apply for a visit 



Toronto riders meet to discuss proposed community bike park in the High Park area


Wednesday night (October 19th) around 50 people met at the Swansea Town Hall, Toronto, to discuss the proposed community bike park in the High Park area.

In attendance were members of the local mountain biking and bmx communities, along with city councillor Sarah Doucette, city staffers, represantatives from local native bands, and the park design team, including Jay Hoots (Hoots Inc.), Victor Ford and Associates, IMBA Canada's Trail Specialist Daniel Scott, and Richard Goulding of Sustainable Trails Ltd..

The design consultation was a success according to IMBA's Daniel Scott, with riders discussing their desires for a bike park in the south east corner of the Park. Ideas included progression, a cross-country perimeter loop, slope style course, and a beginner-specific section to foster the next generation of riders. All parties agreed to turn a new leaf and work together on the project with mutual respect, says Scott.

Scott Laver from the City of Toronto department of Parks, Forestry and Recreation says the City is building a community bike park in High Park area to meet the demand of the local cycling community. "We want to provide a professional facility, planned, built and maintained by the community that will offer technically challenging riding in an accessible and controlled environment. We also want protect our forests and parkland currently being impacted by the many informal skills parks in and around High Park," said Laver.


Upcoming IMBA Canada events

IMBA Trail Workshops

• New Denver, BC on October 29th and 30th.   More info  

• Castlegar, BC on November 5th.  More info 

• North Vancover BC on November 19th.  More info 

• Campbell River BC on November 26th.  More info