Dear Members,
As I step into the role of Chair of the Board of Directors, I’ve been reflecting on our community and organization. For more than 50 years, Cycling BC has had the incredible privilege of helping build our sport across the province. Whether you’re part of a club, a member of a trail organization, a casual weekend rider, or an aspiring or seasoned competitor, you are one of more than 6,000 members representing 8 disciplines who contribute to your local community of riders and who shape the unique and vibrant fabric of cycling across our province.
I’ve enjoyed riding bikes since I was a kid, but it was riding with my local club in Victoria, Tripleshot, that led me to fall in love with the sport. I’ve seen firsthand how clubs foster personal growth, develop talent, and provide a sense of community by bringing together riders of all ages and abilities to support one another. Through these contributions and the races and events they organize, clubs have an impact on the sport well beyond their own membership. They are essential to our sport. After serving as Tripleshot’s president for four years, I ran for the Cycling BC Board of Directors because I wanted Cycling BC to do more to elevate, grow, and support clubs and other local communities of riders.
In recent years, the Board has evolved into a highly engaged and hard working team, with each director bringing unique skills to the table—from event organizing and coaching, to business, finance, law, human resources and communications. Over the summer, we were out in the community and spoke to dozens of stakeholders across the province and disciplines to get their thoughts and feedback. In September, we came together in Vancouver for a 6-hour planning session to discuss that feedback and ways to make Cycling BC the best it can be. A clear theme emerged from all our discussions: clubs and other communities within our membership are at the heart of BC’s cycling future, and our success as an organization is tied directly to their success.
With the arrival of Christine Reid as our new Executive Director, I’m excited to leverage her expertise and leadership and start working on a new strategic plan to help shape our future. We know the past few years have been challenging and our members expect more from us. We are deeply committed to rebuilding trust, delivering strong results and creating a community where every rider feels supported. In the coming weeks, you’ll hear from Christine as she starts sharing ways we can better work together, with your continued passion and involvement, and take bold steps forward.
Thank you for being part of this journey. I look forward to what we will accomplish together for our sport and our community.
Sincerely,
Martin Farnham
Chair, Cycling BC Board of Directors