People in Motion Kamloops seeks to increase accessibility in biking this summer 

People in Motion Kamloops (PIM) is a non-profit organization based around providing fitness, recreational, educational and social programs and services to people with disabilities. In the past year, PIM has received grant funding through their Environmental Voyageurs program, which helps get people with physical and cognitive disabilities into nature, Sena Odyakmaz, education and programs coordinator tells The Wren. 

Interest in adventure sports such as mountain biking and hiking is rising, Odyakmaz says, and PIM is working to keep that spark lit. 

“It’s clear to me that [participants] want to do these things, whether it be hiking or biking, skiing, whatever,” Odyakmaz says. “Again, it just comes back to what they have been exposed to and what they have the resources to access.”

In their fleet of bikes, PIM has four adaptive bikes, one for youth and three for adults. To put them to good use, Odyakmaz, who is also a certified level two mountain biking coach, is looking at creating a new program. 

“Now the main goal would truly just be to get them out and moving outside,” she says, noting these bikes are not mountain bikes. “I do see that with the right introduction and the right support, they could be taking it further into more adventurous terrain.” 

While they have the bikes themselves, PIM is searching for ways to make the mountain more accessible, particularly through transportation. In the past, PIM has partnered with Sun Peaks Adaptive Sports to provide transportation for members on a weekly basis, and while some have families with the ability to take them up the mountain and back, many do not, Odyakmaz explains. 

PIM has access to a wheelchair-accessible bus and accessible van but the size of adaptive bikes poses a problem, Odyakmaz says. 

“Just because I can get the equipment doesn’t mean I can get them to the trailhead,” Odyakmaz says. “But it’s not impossible, It just involves a bigger team effort.” 

Odyakmaz is exploring more grants and connections to help solve some of those logistical problems, but also sees the need for more people. When overseeing riding for people without disabilities, Odyakmaz is able to work with around six to eight people. However, when working with those with physical or cognitive disabilities, more support is needed. 

“People in Motion, we have three full-time staff. We are a very small group of individuals, but in my opinion, we make mountains move. But it comes down to having people that are willing to volunteer their time to support things.” 

While Odyakmaz admits the next step is not 100 per cent clear in terms of increasing accessibility in adventure sports for those living in Kamloops, she’s confident that getting people onto bikes is the first thing to do. 

“Whether that means getting more bikes available to us, or just having more volunteers to help us initiate and take action on this program, that’s going to be my work in the next couple months here to get this rolling for the summer.”