HopOn Haida Gwaii instructor Boby Wagner, from the Nahanni Bike Club, was back at it again for the 3rd season and provided two programs for local children who wish to build skills and confidence on their bikes and make some friends along the way!
The Friday program welcomed children with HopOn level 1-2 skills, learning to stop and start quickly. In contrast, Wednesday’s Level 3 group had fun rolling over sidewalk curbs and exploring the community.
I try to use everything available on the island to help the kids learn these fun bike skills. As someone who is first nations, it is very important to me to make this program accessible, remove barriers, and get the kids out on the lands.
Haida Gwaii is such a magical place. The forest is alive! It is wetter, thicker, and mossier than most other communities on the mainland and makes for challenging pedaling! But I am so optimistic about the future of cycling here. The local school just purchased a fleet of bikes which will help make cycling accessible and help kids learn to shift their gears when faced with an obstacle. There are also 2 pump-tracks proposed on the island. In the meantime, I’ve been using the flat and open spaces at the old military based to pattern the HopOn movements and play the games. And partnering with the local hockey arena provides a safe place to cycle inside during storm season.
Sometimes, the biggest obstacle to the development of this program is a good wifi connection and helping everyone register online. But improvements to the user experience make it easier each year.
This coming winter will mark my 2nd full year on the island, which will help me establish more programs in the area. See you all in 2023! – Boby Wagner
Stay tuned for more information on our HopOn After-School page.
