Creating cycling communities for youth

BEECHWORTH has been chosen as one of five places across the ACT, NSW and Victoria for “Try-It-Out” events by a United States-based youth development organisation using mountain bikes with the program taken offshore for the first time. The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) dedicated to building strong minds, body, character and communities through mountain biking is running a pilot program to test the waters for a possible launch in Australia next year. Beechworth Chain Gang’s president Lynn Frerichs said the club is helping as needed to support the local event. Ms Frerichs also said NICA approached the club for the roll out on January 11 next year as well as Indigo Shire Council for permission. “We embraced the event as we want to get as many people riding bikes as possible,” she said. "It’s better for health and the environment.” NICA’s Eddie Freyer, asked to lead the project, said the organisation runs the program for 12 to 17- year-olds from beginners and upwards with no experience needed. “We have been exploring the possibility of expanding the program internationally,” he said. “There was a group of folks here in Australia who knew about what we were doing in the 'States' and reached out to us to see if the program could potentially run in Australia." Founded in the United States 15 years ago, Mr Freyer said 25,000 kids participated in the youth program across the country with 75 per cent of coaches being parents. NICA has grown over the years with 32 leagues around the nation and 15,000 volunteer coaches. “I run a program for the state of Idaho and it’s one of the largest leagues in the country,” Mr Freyer said. Mr Freyer said NICA asked him to take the lead on the project working with Mark Eedle from Canberra-based Trek, Asia Pacific. He said three of the four Olympians representing the United States in cross country mountain biking in the Olympics held in Paris last summer had been riders from the program. “It's a lifelong sport with so many great health benefits associated with it and has a great social component with people coming together as part of a community,” he said. “This program introduces kids to that lifestyle.” Mr Freyer said if the template works in Australia supporting a NICA international division it can be replicated in other countries around the world. “One of our core values and in our mission is to build a thriving cycling community that kids can be a part of," he said. “And now we have an opportunity to create a global community for these kids. “There could be exchange programs in the future where kids from one country can take part in an exchange program in another country with a NICO family. “It's all about broadening that community and making it available for kids all over the world.” Trek Bicycle, Asia-Pacific’s advocacy and engagement manager, Mark Eedle said Trek is a major supporter of NICA in the States and is supporting the pilot program. Mr Eedle said the pilot series will finish with a race at Mount Stromlo in Canberra on February 22. For more information visit www.nicaausmtb.org.au/try-it-out-events.

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