Overview
At Independence Youth Cycling, we are driven by a passion for empowering youth through the transformative power of cycling. With the support of dedicated coaches and volunteers, we build strong, inclusive communities by fostering confidence, teamwork, and a love for the outdoors. Through advocacy and outreach, we work to make cycling accessible to everyone, while promoting positive impacts on people, the planet, and our shared future.
Vision
We inspire youth to become their best selves by using bicycling as a path to develop character and confidence through accomplishment.
Mission
We create diverse communities of youth cycling, enriching their lives and those of their families and beyond, through bicycle-centric programming and activities.
Independence Youth Cycling is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization.
EIN: 87-1845203
While many kids today opt out of “traditional” sports in favor of less active pastimes, youth participation in organized mountain biking has grown exponentially over the past few years and is one of the fastest-growing youth sports in the United States.
Independence programs center around the concept of Long-Term Athletic Development, which includes a framework that covers bio-, psycho- and social-models of youth development. Independence’s guiding principles are inclusivity, equity, and a supportive team culture.
Independence Youth Cycling’s hope is that the fundamental skills and fitness benefits learned through the program will be carried far beyond high school. Like the many coaches and parents involved with our organization, Independence aspires to develop cycling as a life-long interest for Independence athletes.
Independence Youth Cycling’s vision is to cultivate a life-long love for positive living and the outdoors by forging habits of exercise, self-reliance, and positive support of others through cycling. Independence believes that cycling, the sense of self-reliance, and an awareness of the importance of fitness learned by student athletes will remain with them throughout their adult lives, in contrast to traditional sports which typically have short athletic windows of time.
Currently, the Independence program is focused on participation in the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) as SoMont Cycling Youth Mountain Bike Team & Philly Wiss Composite, through our current regional footprint of southeastern Pennsylvania via the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Cycling League (PICL), an affiliate of NICA. As Independence grows we will look to expand our programs and create year-round activities and opportunities to keep local youth engaged in meaningful physical and social activities.
