I hope most of you have heard by now about the opportunities for youth cycling here in Lincoln. Last week I mentioned the Bike Bus. Kids LOVE being part of a Bike Bus. If you have kids in school or work in a school yourself, why not start one up? Sometimes you just have to stop waiting for someone else do it and do it yourself. But what about other youth cycling activities? You have a couple of options, first:
Lancaster Composite MTB Team states that “Lancaster Composite is a Lancaster County middle and high school mountain bike team working to improve on-bike skills, refine character, support our community, and compete with other Nebraska teams.”
For the younger kids, there’s DEVO. “DEVO develops youth mountain biking skills and stewardship through inclusivity and community. We foster a love for mountain biking and the trails that connect us.” The Nebraska Interscholastic Cycling League, NICA GRiT Nebraska, for girls, and NICA TTC Nebraska, for student athlete trail builders, can be found at https://nebraskamtb.org/, and on Facebook.
“Teen Trail Corps is a program that provides NICA student-athletes the opportunity to serve and give their time towards bike related advocacy activities. It is designed to provide exposure and be a gateway for NICA student-athletes into the world of advocacy. NICA envisions a future where NICA student-athletes are advocating for and making a significant impact on our cycling environment.”
Finally, another local bike group will be expanding and welcoming more riders, and not just kids and youth. Star City BMX is building a pump track behind their current track at 101 Charleston St., across from Oak Lake Park. On a pump track riders don’t pedal, but use arms and legs to create momentum in synchrony with the track features.
Check out their progress at https://www.facebook.com/starcitybmx
If you know of youth cycling groups I’ve left out, leave us a comment.