The proposal to increase prices is driven by several factors.

1. Cycling BC has kept membership fees the same in 2024 despite inflation.* We anticipate costs for our insurance to rise this year because claims by Cycling BC members have been high. Since 2019, Cycling BC members have made over 400 claims to our insurance program to cover medical expenses for cycling-related injuries, including some catastrophic cases.While we hope we never have to use our insurance, we are grateful for the support it offers members when needed. It provides excellent value for the price, helping those injured while riding their bikes recover and return to riding as soon as possible. It also allows the volunteers who serve you–by serving on your club’s board, by leading your club rides, or by offering you various skills clinics or marshalling at races.* Please note that this sentence has been updated since its initial publication to correct a previous error.
2. Our Cycling Canada affiliation fees increased from 3% to 5% –this is the portion of our members’ fees we pay to Cycling Canada to support national programs and initiatives.
3. Revenue shortfalls, especially in donations and sponsorships, require us to adjust our prices to sustain the organization’s operations while minimizing cuts to services and impact on members. This is being addressed in our Fundraising Plan for 2025 and the new people we have brought on board to lead us into 2025.

Cycling BC has implemented significant cost-reduction measures over the past two years, including,

• Choosing to let the lease expire for the office in Burnaby and transitioning to a fully remote work environment
• Reducing staff headcount
• Selling off assets including a van, trailers and bikes
• Strengthening financial oversight including:
  • having our Accounting Contractor assist with budgeting, forecasts, and financial reporting;
  • Ensuring more frequent and detailed financial reporting to the Board and staff.

(Updated Nov 28, 2024) – Cycling BC ended 2023 with a loss of $133,000. After implementing the significant cost-cutting measures noted above, we are now projecting a substantially reduced loss of $20,000 for 2024.

A membership fee increase will put us in a better position to support our community. The deficit will not be entirely made up for with changes to the membership fee. A plan for diverse fundraising is needed and planned for 2025 to include better donor relationships, further sponsorship opportunities, improved raffle experiences and an overall better customer experience with Cycling BC.

Yes. As a gesture of appreciation and to encourage early bird sales, if the membership votes to approve the $8 increase in membership fees for 2025, we will offer an EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT on 2025 memberships and sell them at 2024 prices until December 31, 2024. Starting January 1, 2025, the new 2025 membership prices will take effect.

Cycling BC’s audited annual financial statements (audited by a CPA firm) are made available to the membership and can be found on the Cycling BC website at https://cyclingbc.net/about/official-documents/ under the ‘Financial Statements’ tab.

Yes. The Finance Committee is meeting on Friday, November 22 to review finances and financial projections. We will release financial information before the vote opens. This release of information is above and beyond that required by the BC Societies Act, but is done in the interest of financial transparency with our membership.

Updated Nov.28, 2024 –

In the spirit of transparency, we’re sharing year-end financial projections to provide members with an early look at expected income and expenses for 2024. These draft financials are unaudited, with final audited results to be released before the June 2025 AGM (last year’s audited financials are available on our website). By releasing projections now, we aim to address members’ financial questions ahead of the vote on next year’s fees. The projections highlight where cost cuts have been made and underscore the ongoing challenge of balancing the budget, even with significant reductions.

With a 2025 Fundraising Plan (the Board is meeting on Dec 3rd to review) in place, controlled costs, and a modest increase in membership fees, we are confident that we can balance the budget for 2025. A draft of the 2025 Budget will be released in the new year. In the meantime, the Finance and Audit Committee consisting of Scott Suffolk, CPA, CGA, Kim Heath, CPA, CA,  Megan McGinley, CPA, CA and Martin Farnham, PhD met on Friday, Nov 22nd to begin forming a 2025 Budget with this strategy in mind. The Board will be reviewing this early version at the December 3rd meeting. Time will also be needed to collect more information that impacts the budget. 

In 2023, members requested a draft budget for 2024 before voting on membership fees. At that time, we shared a status quo budget along with year-end financial projections for 2023. Because we believed that the 2024 draft budget was unlikely to change significantly, it made sense to present it early in the process. 

The 2025 budget approach is different. With a new Executive Director and a renewed focus from the Board, we’re preparing to move in a new direction. While initial discussions on our mission and strategy began at the September planning session, the January 2025 Board meeting will formally launch the creation of a three-year Strategic Plan, setting priorities for 2025 and beyond. The 2025 budget will need to be adjusted based on those discussions.

We have made significant progress to address budget shortfalls over the past year.  The strategic planning process will build on this progress and also be focused on the following:

• maintaining a balanced budget, with thoughtful program and cost adjustments as revenue allows.
• fundraising initiatives to refresh resources – cost reductions have been necessary, but will impact our ability to provide programs within our mandate, without improved funding.
• consideration of Cycling BC’s priorities as an organization and the optimal scope of programs.

Presenting a draft budget now would require arbitrary assumptions or a status quo budget that’s likely to change, both of which would be misleading. Instead, like last year, we’re sharing 2024 year-end projections alongside last year’s audited results. These highlight both the financial gains achieved through cost-cutting and the ongoing challenges of balancing our budget despite those efforts. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to sharing a clear, strategic budget once it’s ready.

Several factors affect pricing from one PSO to another. Services and programs offered vary from province to province. Some provinces may not include 24/7 accident insurance or charge for it separately, or have different limits or coverage. Membership size, administrative costs, events, staff, regional costs, etc., also vary, affecting the overall budgets of each provincial organization.

The BC Societies Act requires that we hold our Annual General Meeting within six months after our fiscal year-end of December 31. The current insurance market is volatile, so we cannot get a firm quote until late in the year for our insurance costs. To make it easier for members to participate in setting fees, a motion was passed at the June AGM to amend our bylaws to allow members to vote electronically on membership fees rather than voting at an extraordinary general meeting.

Yes. Martin Farnham will host a meet-and-greet event that you can bring your questions to on Vancouver Island on Nov 26 (RSVP here). Christine Reid will host a similar event in North Vancouver on Friday Nov 29 (RSVP here). Both board and/or staff will be present at both events and questions and comments are welcome.

Updated Nov 28, 2024 – We’ve added one more meet-and-greet in Surrey on Tuesday, Dec 3 (RSVP here).

Unlike the individual membership fees that you are being asked to vote on, club affiliation fees are set by Cycling BC and do not require a member vote. Cycling BC expects club affiliation fees will have to increase somewhat to help cover rising insurance, Cycling Canada fees and operational costs.

Cycling BC ended 2023 with a loss of $133,000. After taking significant cost-reducing measures this past year, we are projecting a smaller loss of $20,000 in 2024.

The organization has a significant amount of work to do to keep the sport thriving in British Columbia, and we need a dedicated team to accomplish this. By voting for the fee increase, you will help ensure we can maintain the staffing levels necessary to provide the quality of service we are aiming for in 2025.

If the fee increase is not approved, we may have to further reduce programs, which could negatively impact our ability to secure funding and fulfill our responsibilities as a Provincial Sport Organization.

Here’s a condensed summary of the insurance coverage provided with your Cycling BC membership.