What is NICA? And why is it so important?

With school back in session, it’s a great time to get kids back on bicycles as part of their fall sports activities. To help encourage young riders to find access into the sport of mountain biking, Feedback Sports has been a Bronze level corporate supporter of NICA for over a decade. But what is NICA and why does it matter?

NICA stands for National Interscholastic Cycling Association. It is a non-profit organization that develops cycling programs for middle- and high-school aged youths and communities across the United States. The premise of the organization is that experiences had through mountain biking can help a young person develop a sense of self-worth and teamwork that will impact their life.

How does NICA work?

Thousands of kids participate NICA leagues throughout the country. Leagues fulfill NICA’s mission at the regional level, improving the lives of teens and positively impacting communities by providing a high-quality, safe and fun interscholastic mountain bike program based on the principles of strong body, strong mind, strong character, equality, and inclusivity. Leagues also oversee the development, training and education of teams and coaches in their communities.

The NICA Mission, Vision, and Values

NICA’s mission is: “We build strong minds, bodies, character, and communities through cycling.” Anyone who has become a committed bike rider knows that the sport can be incredibly influential on the direction of a person’s life. By introducing young riders to the sport in a supportive environment, NICA can truly guide kids toward a healthy future.

The NICA values of “Fun, Inclusivity, Equity, Respect, and Community” are intended to foster a supportive and welcoming environment for young riders to learn the sport of bike riding. While simply learning to ride a bike might be a rite of passage for kids, actually becoming an enthusiastic recreational rider can be more intimidating. NICA aims to break down barriers and welcome youth riders into the sport at a more committed level.

Feedback Sports x NICA

Some of the biggest companies in the cycling industry are staunch supporters of NICA. And Feedback Sports is no different. Like Trek, SRAM, Shimano and Specialized, we recognize the importance of welcoming youth riders to the sport. Cycling is a healthy lifetime sport that we all enjoy, and we view NICA as a critical facilitator of bike riding opportunities for kids in the hopes that they too will experience a lifetime of riding.

Our support for NICA includes an annual financial donation plus special access to our products for NICA coaches and parents of student athletes. With active, coached riding seasons for youth in both fall and spring, we want to facilitate good bike maintenance throughout the year.

Get Involved!

Want to join Feedback Sports as a supporter, and find a way to get involved and support NICA National or a local league?

Make a difference in the lives of student athletes, show your support today! Whether you want to help NICA National, a statewide league or local team, NICA offers a variety of ways for you to donate and fundraise to help them fulfill their mission of getting more kids on bikes. If you’d like to donate your time or expertise, consider becoming a NICA coach, start a team or help out a league near you. Visit this page for ways you can get involved.