Greater Victoria BMX Association Details and Summary of Benefits
Overview of the Greater Victoria BMX organization and the direct/indirect benefits of the bike loaner program to the community.
Please give details about your organization:
The Greater Victoria BMX (bicycle motorcross racing) Association, located on property leased from the Westshore Parks and Recreation Facility, has currently 85 members a drop from 225 in 2019, ranging from toddlers to those near retirement. The association provides a facility, as well as training and competitive opportunities, for BMX riders in the Greater Victoria area and beyond, operating under the Canada/USA BMX sanctioning body. Each local BMX association under Canada/USA BMX is an independent entity sharing the common goal of providing safe, competitive and fun BMX racing. The local track program and its membership are the focus of Greater Victoria BMX.
Through scheduled practices and coaching sessions, as well as weekly or twice-weekly races, riders improve their physical fitness, learn sportsmanship, develop basic through advanced cycling skills, spend time outdoors, and come to understand the importance of community involvement.
The purpose of the club is to promote and advance the sport of bicycle motocross racing (BMX) by:
- Developing and maintaining a membership of knowledgeable and capable racers, officials and volunteers;
- Promoting high standards of ethics, fair play, and sportsmanship adhering to the code of conduct
- Providing facilities and events for BMX racing; and
- Belonging to the BMX sanction which best meet the above noted objectives.
In BMX, “no one sits on the bench!” Greater Victoria BMX strives to be accessible to people of all ages, fitness levels, physical abilities, and family and financial circumstances. BMX by its very nature is an individual sport, so a rider can choose his or her degree of participation and pace of development. While all riders are classed by age and proficiency (novice, intermediate and expert), which allows them to race others who are of similar ability for trophies and points, there is a great deal of flexibility. Victoria BMX has, in any given year, some riders with disabilities who enjoy being able to participate at a comfortable level in an inclusive environment.
Greater Victoria BMX Association
Summary of the Direct and indirect benefits to the Town of View Royal
The Town of View Royal will benefit from a Bike Loaner Program at the Greater Victoria BMX Association by:
- Allowing all residents from View Royal and the Greater Victoria area to participate in the Greater Victoria BMX track at a minimal rental cost of $10 per rental
- The Greater Victoria BMX track is open track, residents of View Royal can use the track anytime during the April to September season when there are no sanctioned events.
- Increase awareness of the Town of View Royal with Colwood and Langford residents
- Residents from the Town of View Royal are members of Greater Victoria BMX
Indirect benefits to the Town of View Royal
- Increase ridership and attendance at the View Royal Pump Track
- Residents of View Royal will be aware of their support Greater Victoria BMX track
- Allow the opportunity to all residents in the Greater Victoria area, no matter the financial background, to partake in track events including practices and races
- Fundraise for the Jack Cerney Leukemia Foundation, supporting a young racer recently diagnosed with Leukemia
- With each sanctioned event, we bring racers from the mainland and all over the island into the Colwood area attending businesses within the area.
- Currently, the Greater Victoria BMX track is open to the public during the summer season April to October. Families and residents of Colwood, View Royal, Langford, Highlands, Metchosin and Greater Victoria, of all ages are welcome to ride the only BMX track in the Greater Victoria area when there are no sanctioned events taking place. This gives the entire community of Greater Victoria to utilize the track to safely ride bikes in a fenced area.
- Outdoor sports and specifically biking have gained popularity in the past year due to the pandemic where people are encouraged to stay close to home.
- Cycling is popular overall in the Greater Victoria area.