INITIATING & INSPIRING KIDS THROUGH THE HOPON PROGRAM
Haley Smith
Since publishing its 10-year strategic plan in 2020, Cycling Canada has taken important steps to implementing the Grassroots and Community pillars through initiatives such as the launch of a new national grassroots program in collaboration with its provincial and territorial associations. The HopOn program, which was implemented in schools and communities during the summer of 2021, is based on British Columbia’s highly successful iRide program with the mission of educating and getting more kids excited about riding. The values engrained in the program hope to inspire future generations of athletes, whether that be at a competitive level or a as a recreational cyclist.
Despite difficulties related to the pandemic, the program was successfully launched in four provinces and territories in its initial year, with plans to expand to eight provinces this year. As the program continues to grow, our goal is to initiate 300,000 kids to cycling across the country over the next ten years.
Ambassador Haley Smith on the Importance of HopOn
Olympian, professional mountain biker and HopOn ambassador Haley Smith knows the impact cycling has had on her life and wants to make sure that every child across Canada has the same level of access.
“Cycling is somewhat of a high barrier to entry sport, but it is a sport that gives you so much freedom once you’re in it and once you have the resources to do it, and the knowledge and the skill base,” Smith told Cycling Canada. “I think kids should be exposed to bikes as part of the curriculum both for recreation and for transportation. It would be great to see HopOn advance our country’s infrastructure to make it easier for kids to get to school.”
For Smith, the profound impact of the sport goes beyond winning races, representing Canada or being able to travel the world; it’s the endless possibilities to see new things and meet new people while building a strong relationship with herself.
“To me, cycling is about freedom, exploration and relationships. There are very few things in the world that give you the freedom the bike can give you in terms of mobility and opportunity for adventure.”
As an ambassador, Smith hopes to not only share her experiences and lead by example, but also show kids the possibilities and impact that cycling can have.
“It’s about being a role model; and it’s about being a positive example of the good that cycling can have in your life – in racing and outside of racing. I hope as an ambassador I provide an example for what healthy and enjoyable involvement of cycling can look like on the race course and also as a lifestyle. For me particularly, it’s a mental health bolstering and supportive activity. I hope to continue to interact with kids and help them build a positive and healthy relationship with cycling and bikes. I think it helps you develop a positive relationship with yourself and your body.”
Looking to the future of the program, Smith says she wants to see HopOn help evolve in a way that helps remove barriers to entry. She hopes to be involved in that process as the program continues to grow.
“I would love to see the program evolve in a way that provides kids with access to bikes who don’t have the financial means to get one. I would love to see it become part of a more formal pillar of a school experience.”
Beyond initiating children to cycling, Smith hopes that the HopOn experience can teach children the joy and bliss that comes with riding a bike and being part of a community.
“I would tell any school-aged kids that bikes are really fun. They’re a source of freedom and a great way to explore the world around you. They’re a great way to make friends and make relationships with nature, with your peer groups and have a strong relationship with yourself. Often, cycling can be a solo activity, but it doesn’t have to be, and I think that’s where HopOn can really shine. It can make bikes a community or group activity and it can be about relationships and be about friends.”
HopOn Ride p/b Lexus
In order to raise funds for the program, Cycling Canada is organizing its second HopOn Ride p/b Lexus to help cover the costs of instructor training, equipment, program delivery and more. The ride will be held on Sunday, February 20, 2022 on the Zwift platform, with Lexus Canada pledging $1 for every participant on the ride. That means the more people who join, the more kids we can initiate to cycling. Whether you can attend or want to contribute in one way or another, we are also accepting donations big or small.
While participants will be riding alongside fellow members of the community from across the country, they will also get to ride and chat with Olympians and Paralympians Curt Harnett, Catharine Pendrel, Keely Shaw, Vincent de Haître, Joey Desjardins and Marie-Ève Croteau. Make sure to prepare your questions and tune in to the Discord channel for great conversations about cycling, Tokyo 2020 and the importance of programs like HopOn. We hope to see you there!
