Independence Youth Cycling

In addition to our NICA-affiliated youth mountain bike teams, we partner with other area public and private organizations (e.g., local townships, Scout groups, non-profits) to provide stand-alone, community-focused workshops introducing mountain biking skills to youth.

IYC teams support NICA's national GRiT (Girls Riding Together) initiative, a focused effort to bring more girls and women into the cycling community to close the opportunity gap for current and future generations. Female coaches and student-athletes are strongly representated on IYC-affiliated teams, with GRiT-only rides, events, and activities throughout the season. Female coaches make up approximately 30% of the coaching staff across IYC teams.

IYC participates in NICA's national "Teen Trail Corps" (TTC) program, which provides student-athletes and coaches the opportunity to learn and serve the community with trail maintenance, the respectful use of trails, and land stewardship. IYC student-athletes and coaches devote hundreds of volunteer hours annually (373 direct trailwork hours in 2022 alone!) to maintaining local trails in the Philadelphia region, including those in Pennypack Park, Lorimer Park, Wissahickon Park, and Cresheim Valley.

Several of our team members have been recognized for their state-wide trailwork leadership by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League (PICL). Recognizable as youth development through community service, the program’s vision is a future whereby NICA student-athletes advocate and take responsibility for our cycling environment. The program is distinctive in youth sports; it provides young riders advocacy skillsets through sport and is an activity where everyone counts.

Independence Youth Cycling desires to reduce barriers and make our programs open and inclusive to all students regardless of their financial situation. As funding allows, we provide need-based financial assistance and scholarships to students toward our already low program fees, and also work with the state league to obtain financial assistance for state-wide league and race series fees. We also provide need-based assistance toward coach development fees to adults who wish to participate in our programs (see separate program listing for more information).

IYC is committed to "getting more kids on bikes." We recognize that access to a quality mountain bike may be a barrier to students facing economic challenges getting involved in the sport. Our goal is to acquire a small fleet of bikes and related accessories (helmets, tools, spare parts, etc.) that can be used by middle- and high-school students during our programs (community events, practices, and races). We don't want lack of access to a bike to keep any child from benefiting from the social and physical benefits of participating in our programs.

Any youth sports program relies on quality coaches and mentors to thrive. Adults who work with youth in IYC programs must hold a current certification through the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) coach licensing program. Certification requires a significant outlay of time, effort, and financial resources; we desire to reduce any barriers that might stand in the way of participation by providing IYC-sponsored training activities and reimbursements as funding allows. Doing so also helps us recruit coaching staff from typically underserved populations. Licensed coaches are trained in bike skills education, first aid, risk management, team management, ride management, youth sports psychology, and more. Certification also includes professional background checks as mandated by the state of Pennsylvania. This training and education helps create a safe, positive, and fun environment for our student-athletes. Learn more at https://nationalmtb.org/coaches-license-program