News

Aug 20, 2023

‘No one rides the bench in BMX’

By wpeditor | on August 05, 2023 WHEELS IN MOTION—Sycamore BMX Raceway operator Chris Desantis, left, and track treasurer/liaison Nicole Berg give a presentation to the City Council on Monday about

By wpeditor | on August 05, 2023

WHEELS IN MOTION—Sycamore BMX Raceway operator Chris Desantis, left, and track treasurer/liaison Nicole Berg give a presentation to the City Council on Monday about the proposed track. ROB VARELA/Acorn Newspapers

If a new motocross track gets built, Sycamore BMX Raceway will be there to manage it.

At Monday’s Simi Valley City Council meeting, the nonprofit organization introduced local officials and residents to its operation plan.

The presentation was led by Nicole Berg, the group’s educational liaison and treasurer.

While the track will primarily serve Sycamore BMX members, the public will also have access to the track for recreational riding, she said.

According to Sycamore’s proposed operating schedule, practice sessions and races for members would take place Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. About 30 to 40 riders would participate each day.

Additionally, one state race per year is planned.

There would be a concession stand at the track, and coaching opportunities would be available.

Berg said the group aims to cater to riders of all skill levels and ages, offering summer recreational leagues for beginners in partnership with the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District.

BMX STEM and Read to Ride programs will be introduced in collaboration with the Simi Valley Unified School District to promote education and community engagement.

“Our mission is to provide a safe and encouraging atmosphere for participants to learn and compete in BMX racing while experiencing positive individual growth,” she said.

Named after the home track of local resident Mike Day, a U.S. silver medalist in the 2008 Summer Olympics, Sycamore BMX aims to promote an active and healthy lifestyle among Simi Valley’s children and residents.

Berg said that with the support of the park district, the city and the national USA BMX organization, Sycamore BMX can increase awareness of the sport, boost youth participation and create educational opportunities in partnership with the USA BMX Foundation.

There is no cost to join Sycamore BMX, but it costs $60 to become a member of USA BMX. A membership in that organization allows riders of all ages and abilities to race in local, state and national competitions.

Members can also participate in USA BMX-sponsored clinics, open practices, race nights and camps held during spring and summer.

Various fees for practice sessions, coaching sessions and races would apply at Sycamore BMX, with different rates depending on the event and level of training.

Public access to the BMX track would cost $15 per visit on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m, with a board member present. On other days, the track would host racing events and clinics catering to both beginning and advanced riders.

New rider orientations would be held and the track would be available for birthday parties and rentals. BMX bikes, striders, beach cruisers, mountain bikes and dirt jumpers would be allowed on the track.

Berg said the facility will be inclusive, welcoming participants of all ages and abilities.

She said the BMX track promises a supportive and progressive environment.

“Although many participants are athletic, outgoing individuals, the positive and self-progressing atmosphere of our BMX track lends itself to all walks of life, including children who have trouble fitting in school, with attention disorders, and all levels of the autism spectrum,” Berg said.

“No one rides the bench in BMX,” she noted.