This week Cycling BC’s iRide teamed up with the United Nations Association in Canada’s Sport Unites program to celebrate diversity & inclusion in theme with the Pan American-Parapan American Games 2015 in Toronto. Seven host cities across Canada ran FREE community events for at-risk students and Cycling BC saddled up for Vancouver’s event, providing the only bicycle station across the nation.
In association with the UNAC’s Sport in a Box program, designed by Sarah Kambites, the community event began with a simulated Pan-Am Games opening ceremony before students rotated through six stations, each 25 minutes in length. Stations at the Maclean Park event also included soccer, tennis, library, UN diversity and inclusion pledges, and of course the iRide program!
Mrs. Sarah Kambites made the trip out to visit the Vancouver event despite three other cities participating in the program on August 12, and was very excited to see our iRide fleet in action.
The day will bring children and youth together to celebrate the 2015 Games, teach them about diversity and inclusion, while promoting Canadian values, culture and history. This is a unique opportunity to educate youth about the diverse cultures that inhabit their city as well as inform them of the traditional First Nations territory their city is on.
iRide coaches Ben Chaddock and Wes Ochitwa were on hand with the help of new volunteer Tammy Stothers. The day’s events included a mountain bike course, a velodrome course, Shark Island and of course Musical Bikes. Tammy reports:
I had a fabulous time today with Ben and Wes participating in the iRide program for the United Nations, Youth Pan Am Games today. There were 200 participants that experienced the iRide program, as well as tennis and soccer. This event was conducted in 6 other cities across the country in the last number of weeks and Vancouver was the only city to have a cycling component. Sarah, from the UN, seemed rather impressed with what Ben had the kids doing on bikes.
I was impressed with the program that Ben and Wes put together for the youth. Lots of action, fun and smiles while kids improved their riding skills and did things they never thought they could (i.e. the teeter totter).
If you’re a fan of Cycling BC’s iRide program, check us out on Twitter, Instagram, or donate through Chimp to support our programs in your area. To learn more about iRide Summer Camp or book future in-school events, please contact iRide@cyclingbc.net or (604) BC-iRide.
