Greater Victoria BMX Project Overview – Bike Loaner Program 2021

The Greater Victoria BMX (bicycle motorcross racing) Association, located on property leased from the Westshore Parks and Recreation facility, has members ranging in age 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;
Providing facilities and events for BMX racing on the South Island; and

In Canada/USA BMX, “no one sits on the bench!” Greater Victoria BMX strives to be accessible to people of all ages, fitness levels, financial backgrounds, and physical abilities. 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, which allows them to race others who are of similar ability, 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. We also welcome military members who can attend practices and races despite periodic deployments.

Greater Victoria BMX is seeking to remove financial barriers to participation, as well. We are not considered a “provincial sport organization,” and there are no other qualifying BMX organizations on Vancouver Island yet for the first time, BMX will be an Olympic sport in 2021, and many BMXers are thrilled about the opening of the Jordie Lunn Park in Langford. We are investigating more grants for families in financial need that qualify.

Recognizing that equipment costs can be a barrier, Greater Victoria BMX is proposing to establish an ongoing Bike Loaner Program that would allow participants of any age to borrow BMX race bikes to use during practices and races. The Volunteer program would also loan helmets and gloves for a low fee to cover cleaning costs. The total cost of the program is approximately $7500 for bikes, helmets and $3500 for a storage container for the equipment. Our organization has fundraised $2120 for this program, and we are hoping to raise more funds in 2021. This grant would also contribute towards the total program cost. The ongoing operational costs of the program would be subsidized by the rental fees to ensure the program is ongoing. Part of this program, will be a fundraiser for the Jack Cerney Leukemia Foundation. Patrons can book and pay for bike rentals online, for a $10 fee. $2 will donated to the foundation and $8 donated to the loaner bike program.

We are an equal opportunity track, and we would like to provide riders of all ages the opportunity to participate in BMX. A Covid safety plan for the bikes is in place to ensure everyone’s safety. All items will be cleaned and sanitized before distribution and returning. This program would enable riders opportunity to participate in a riding program at our track with a bike rental and helmet rental for the season.

Currently, the track is open to the pubic during the summer season April to October. Families and residents of Colwood, View Royal, Langford 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 allows the entire community of Greater Victoria to utilize the track to safely ride bikes in a fenced area.

Greater Victoria BMX is a volunteer-based association. The Executive is a group of volunteers voted in annually at the Annual General Meeting to serve the members including a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Track Operator and Director of Awards.

During each sanctioned event including a practice or race, parents are asked to volunteer their time for their rider’s safety. Some of these positions include watching Corners, operating the gate, and managing riders in staging area. Currently, we have a COVID 19 safety plan in place following the current Provincial Health Orders.

Greater Victoria BMX is a non-profit organization in Colwood BC, and the only BMX track in Greater Victoria. Should the association receive funding for this project "Bike Loaner Program" this will aid and support many riders in the Greater Victoria Area unable to purchase their own BMX bike. Bicycle Motorcross is typically an inexpensive sport for patrons, membership dues are paid to BMX Canada organization annually for $65 per rider. Practices at the track are $2 and races cost $7 per rider depending on their age and classification. Equipment is the most expensive part for racing including a full faced helmet, gloves, bike, long sleeved shirt and pants. However for patrons to utilize the track during “open track” there is not specialized equipment needed. Greater Victoria BMX would appreciate any funding received to implement this Loaner Bike Program.

Should funding be declined for this program, we will continue to fundraise for the Bike Loaner Program and although with the current COVID restrictions encouraging the public to go outside, we would not be able to implement this program until future years.