The just completed fall season has been our biggest yet for NICA, we had over 13,000 student-athletes racing across fifteen states, which included three new leagues. I had the opportunity to attend the Maryland League’s Championship event and was impressed by the team spirit exhibited by the student-athletes on the race course and in the pit zone, as well as the professionalism of the race crew. November is a month for giving thanks, and, on behalf of the NICA National Staff and League Directors, I want to express how extremely thankful we all are to be part of a nationwide cycling community that is inspiring a future generation of cyclists while also positively changing lives through cycling.
Seeing the images and hearing stories from participants across NICA’s fall leagues emphasizes that NICA’s weekend competitions are the culmination of many hours spent doing what we love: riding bikes with our friends. We know that getting middle and high school students on bikes not only increases the likelihood that they will continue riding into adulthood, but also boosts bicycling among friends and family members too.
In recognition of this fact, People For Bikes has been a supporter of NICA’s mission and programs. Our shared commitment is to make bike riding safer and easier – on mountain bike trails and on city streets (and everything in between), for weekend races and to work and school. People For Bikes accomplishes this core mission by working with community residents, city leaders, elected officials and national partners like NICA. This season, we ask that you take a moment and add your voice to the 1.3 million PeopleForBikes members who support better biking where they live. (It’s easy and free.) When people ride bikes, great things happen.
Sincerely,
Austin & Tim Blumenthal, President, People for Bikes