Classrooms the next stop for local diversity cyclists
Onward and upward after ride to Victoria
The
second annual Cycling4Diversity ride from Mission to Victoria, May
22-25, was so successful organizers Ken Herar and Sarina Di Martino
Derksen are planning on taking their message around the province come
fall.
"It was an honour to meet so many people who warmly welcomed us and were supportive of this message," said Derksen, who along with Herar, plans to visit schools in B.C. where they did not stop. Eventually, they would like to expand C4D across Canada.
"To go from city to city and hear the emotional stories people have to share, it was a big eye-opener," she said. "When you're meeting people face to face and celebrating diversity, it was life-changing for me on many levels."
The team of 12 left Mission on May 22 for the 200-kilometre bike ride, and stopped at 40 locations on the four-day ride, giving halfhour presentations to schools, community groups and others.
They gave blue wristbands to all the school kids, asking them to share the special message of diversity.
"We asked them to pay attention to how they interact with others," said Herar, who credited Derksen with the idea.
Abbotsford Coun. Bill MacGregor and Abbotsford Police Deputy Chief Rick Lucy rode the entire distance with the rest of the team, which received proclamations from eight cities along the way.
In Victoria they were greeted by former B.C. NDP leader Carole James in front of the Legislature.
Herar said there are still many challenges and C4D is just one small step along the way.
"We're talking about diversity a lot but are we celebrating it? It's more than just a one-day function. I'd like to see more people learn about other cultures besides their own," he said.
"Cycling4Diversity is not a race. It's about the message."
For more information on the fall program or to ride in next year's event, e-mail cycling4diversity@gmail.com.
JKonda-Witte@abbotsfordtimes.com
"It was an honour to meet so many people who warmly welcomed us and were supportive of this message," said Derksen, who along with Herar, plans to visit schools in B.C. where they did not stop. Eventually, they would like to expand C4D across Canada.
"To go from city to city and hear the emotional stories people have to share, it was a big eye-opener," she said. "When you're meeting people face to face and celebrating diversity, it was life-changing for me on many levels."
The team of 12 left Mission on May 22 for the 200-kilometre bike ride, and stopped at 40 locations on the four-day ride, giving halfhour presentations to schools, community groups and others.
They gave blue wristbands to all the school kids, asking them to share the special message of diversity.
"We asked them to pay attention to how they interact with others," said Herar, who credited Derksen with the idea.
Abbotsford Coun. Bill MacGregor and Abbotsford Police Deputy Chief Rick Lucy rode the entire distance with the rest of the team, which received proclamations from eight cities along the way.
In Victoria they were greeted by former B.C. NDP leader Carole James in front of the Legislature.
Herar said there are still many challenges and C4D is just one small step along the way.
"We're talking about diversity a lot but are we celebrating it? It's more than just a one-day function. I'd like to see more people learn about other cultures besides their own," he said.
"Cycling4Diversity is not a race. It's about the message."
For more information on the fall program or to ride in next year's event, e-mail cycling4diversity@gmail.com.
JKonda-Witte@abbotsfordtimes.com
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