Trade News Briefs – October 2024
NICA Launches Youth Mountain Bike Program in Australia
The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) is a USA founded and based youth development organisation dedicated to building strong mind, body, character and communities through mountain biking.
Founded in 2009 as a non-profit organisation, NICA currently has 32 state and regional leagues and 14,000+ registered volunteer coaches working annually with over 25,000 student-athletes from nearly 1,000 high school and middle school teams across the USA.
NICA employs a team of about 30 people in the USA to run their programs, funded by donations from a wide range of companies, foundations and individuals.
With initial support from Trek Bicycles, NICA has just announced that it will host a series of Try-It-Out events, with the first event on 30 November in Canberra. These events are designed to provide a structured and welcoming environment for youth to try mountain biking and learn more about what NICA has to offer. Perfect for beginners and experienced riders alike, Try-It-Out events offer a chance to explore the sport and NICA’s programming in a fun and inclusive setting.
“NICA is dedicated to empowering youth through cycling, and we’re thrilled to explore the potential of bringing our programming to Australia,” said Amanda Carey, President of NICA. “By running these initial events, we’re gauging interest from kids, families, and potential sponsors to determine if we can make this program a reality.”
“Changing the world by getting more people on bikes is core to Trek’s Mission. NICA does just that. And more–it’s why Trek has been a major supporter of NICA in the US for many years. And that’s why we’re proud to host NICA in Australia later this year,” said Mark Eedle, Trek Australia. “NICA’s philosophy that “everyone plays” encapsulates that all young adults, aged 12-17 years, have an opportunity to be part of a community while building their skills, character and health.”
The series of seven Try-It-Out events will culminate in a NICA race weekend, 21-22 February at Mt Stromlo in Canberra.
Eddie Freyer, NICA’s U.S. Idaho League Director, will lead these events for NICA. Freyer brings a wealth of experience from his time leading the Idaho League, and his experience launching two U.S. NICA leagues. “The opportunity to introduce NICA’s programs to Australia is incredibly exciting,” said Freyer, “As a NICA league founder, director, coach and parent, I have personally experienced and seen from afar the profound impact this program has on kids and their families. Being asked to share the NICA mission, vision and values with families in Australia is the honour of a lifetime.”
For more information about the Try-It-Out events in Australia, please visit nicaausmtb.org.au or contactinfo@nicaausmtb.org.au. To learn how to support this effort, please contact partnerships@nicaausmtb.org.au.
BZ Optics and Barz Optics for Sale
Kevin Barr has decided to place his companies, BZ Optics and Barz Optics, on the market, individually or together. This companies have had longstanding links with the Australian bicycle industry, but Kevin needs to sell due to ill health.
“BZ Optics was started when Scott Birdsall and I found a need for those who are long sited to have small readers in the base of their lenses to view their Garmin, read a mobile phone, view a map, or assist in fixing a flat tire,” Kevin recalled.
“We introduced BZ to the world market at the London Cycle and Triathlon Show and now sell product to distributors in the UK, NZ, India and Germany as well as selling product direct to the USA and several other countries.”
The business has three sales channels – Export, Wholesale and Retail. BZ has just started to branch out to new markets in Golf, running, sailing and general sports.
Kevin continued, “While we were the first in the world to offer photochromic lenses with small readers in their base, the range now offers: photochromic without readers, HD photochromic with and without reader, mirrors with and without readers, polarised with and without readers and our other “world first” lens – polarised photochromic with readers.”
BZ currently offers 5 standard frames , 3 by prescription adaptable frames and are due to offer 4 new single wrap glasses within the next two months.
For further information, Kevin Barr can be contacted on 0400769559 or at kevin@bzoptics.com
A Blast from the Past!
On Thursday 12th September I happened to be visiting a bike shop in Melbourne at the exact moment that the two gentlemen pictured here also walked through the door.
Both are long retired from the bicycle industry, but many of our readers will still remember them.
Graham Bradshaw, pictured left was the long-time Executive Officer of the RCTA (Retail Cycle Traders Australia). This was the trade association for Australian bicycle dealers, originally founded by Victorian race promoter, bike magazine publisher and bike shop owner Bill Long. Around the time of Graham’s retirement the RCTA became part of Bicycle Industries Australia (BIA) which until then had mainly had wholesalers as members.
Meanwhile Michael Oxer, pictured right was the Executive Officer of BIA. He is also a former President and now Life Member of Bicycle Network (formerly Bicycle Victoria) and has filled a wide range of other voluntary roles.
At age 88 Michael is still riding his bike everywhere on a regular basis.