Mission
Bicycle Newfoundland and Labrador (BNL) is a non-profit, member based organization and the official governing body for the sport of cycling in Newfoundland and Labrador. BNL has been a part of the provincial sports community for thirty years and is a member of SportNL and Cycling Canada. The work that takes place within Bicycle Newfoundland and Labrador is completed through volunteers - board members and regional representatives as well as dedicated cyclists and advocates who generously volunteer their time and expertise throughout the year.
Vision
A well-recognized and safe, province-wide cycling community.
Mission Statement
Bicycle Newfoundland and Labrador is a non-profit, member based organization that provides education and leadership, creating a vibrant and healthy cycling experience for the benefit of members, partners and the general public.
Mandate
The main purpose of BNL is to promote cycling in Newfoundland and Labrador. The organizational objectives are:
- To strengthen the sport of cycling
- To increase and retain the rate of participation in cycling
- To defend and protect the rights of cyclists in general and the members of BNL in particular
- To promote cycling in all its aspects and
- To affiliate with Sport Newfoundland and Labrador, Cycling Canada and any additional organization that may help BNL achieve its objectives
Board
The Board of Bicycle Newfoundland and Labrador is a volunteer one comprised of eleven directors and four regional representatives. Each of the directors and regional representatives has been assigned a specific area of responsibility within the organization.
Newfoundland and Labrador covers a broad geographic area with a widely dispersed population. The regional representatives represent the four geographic areas of the province (East, Central, West and Labrador). These positions were created to facilitate communications between and among BNL and the various regions ensuring that diverse issues related to the cycling landscape are captured as BNL grows and moves forward as an organization.
To contact a specific Director or Representative Please Click Here
Director Positions:
- President
- Past-President
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Marketing/Communications
- Coaching
- Competitive Cycling
- Non-Competitive Cycling
- Women's Cycling
- Youth Cycling
- Para-Cycling
Regional Representative positions:
- Eastern Representative
- Central Representative
- Western Representative
- Labrador Representative
Strategic Plan
The strategic planning process for BNL began in 2021, engaging board members and regional representatives throughout the province. The team initially engaged in a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis where priority areas of concern and opportunity were identified. The planning committee then met to develop a framework to guide the strategic efforts of the association.
The resulting strategic plan includes a vision and mission statement, a mandate and strategic directions for the organization. The plan focuses on significant ‘make or break’ issues facing the organization and spans a time horizon, from 2022-2026. If successfully addressed, it will result in long-term financial and social value for the organization as well as an expansion and recognition of bicycling throughout the province.
Strategic Directions
The strategic directions outlined below represent a consensus of expressed ideas and inputs from board directors and regional representatives. They set out broad themes with attached objectives that are precise and, to some degree, presented in measurable terms.
For the next three years, BNL has embraced the following five major strategic directions:
- Governance and Operations
- Long Term Athlete Development
- Events
- Advocacy
- Marketing and Communications
Each of these directions includes associated objectives, actions and timelines. On an annual basis, the BNL Board will monitor progress in these strategic directions as a core component of its work. Together, we can become even stronger and more effective.
Policies
Demands for accountability and transparency in non-profit organizations is increasing over time. One way in which volunteer organizations can demonstrate that they are acting with due diligence is to regularly review and update their Constitution and Bylaws as well as to develop policies and procedures as needed.
All incorporated organizations are required to develop by-laws to address specific issues. These are usually issues that pertain to the workings of the board and its relationship to members. Bylaws cannot be adopted or changed without approval of the membership at a general meeting.
In addition to a Constitution and Bylaws, non-profit organizations need policies to guide the activities of the organization, to ensure consistency and to demonstrate that the organization is acting with due diligence. The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the development of policies and procedures in a non-profit organization. The Board of Directors for Bicycle Newfoundland and Labrador recognizes this important task and is currently reviewing the need for the development of specific policies in relation to the organization's activities.
The Constitution and Bylaws for Bicycle Newfoundland and Labrador
AGM
Bicycle Newfoundland and Labrador holds an Annual General Meeting (AGM) each year. We invite all members of BNL, or those who are considering joining and want to find out more about the organization, to participate in the AGM. Attendees may participate in person or by distance.
An election of Board Directors takes place at the AGM. In order to be able to vote at the AGM, individuals must be registered as a member in good standing of Bicycle Newfoundland and Labrador.
Annual Reports
Year end Financial Statements
2020 Year End Financial Statement
2019 Year End Financial Statement
2018 Year End Financial Statement
Advocacy
Bicycle Newfoundland and Labrador is engaged in several advocacy initiatives at local, provincial, and federal levels including:
- Continued development of the Newfoundland T'Railway for cycling
- Formalization and development of mountain bike infrastructure in Pippy Park and East White Hills in St. John's
- Support for effective cycling infrastructure in St. John's including the Bike St. John's Master Plan
- Support for a National Active Transportation Strategy
- Support for federal E-bike regulation and rebate programs
One Metre Law
In 2018 Bicycle Newfoundland and Labrador successfully lobbied the provincial government to pass legislation regarding the "One Metre Rule". On March 5, 2019, the Highway Traffic Act was amended to increase safety on our province’s roads and highways. The changes included the introduction of a “One Metre Rule” aimed at the protection of cyclists and pedestrians. The rule means that the driver of a motor vehicle is required to leave one metre of open space between the vehicle and bicycle (or pedestrian) on highways with posted speed limits of 60 kilometres per hour or less. The required distance is one and a half metres for highways with posted speed limits greater than 60 kilometres per hour.
Safety is a major concern among bicycle riders in this province. The legislation will increase safety for both bicycle riders and motorists by providing a legal definition of safe passing clearance between cyclists and vehicles. The One Metre Rule erases confusion about how a vehicle should approach someone riding a bicycle. Penalties will be imposed for violations of this rule.
In passing this law, Newfoundland and Labrador joined other provinces (Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island) with similar legislation. Many states in the United States also have comparable legislation as do various countries of the world. Newfoundland and Labrador is now on board to make our roads safer for everyone!
Volunteers
Volunteer with us!
Bicycle Newfoundland and Labrador is run and organized one-hundred percent by volunteers from across the province. Because of an interest and commitment to cycling development, directors and regional representatives generously donate their time to contribute to the success of the organization. As such, we always welcome help and support from anyone across the province.
The ways which you can volunteer are diverse and depend entirely on you.
For example, volunteers helped out with the Short Track Series for youth and adults, the Cyclocross Series and the Senior's Group ride during the past year. Others helped out with the Women on Wheels rides in St. John's, the West Coast Cycling Belles rides in Corner Brook or with various competitive events held throughout the province. Able-bodied cyclists also volunteered to act as pilots on tandem bikes with visually impaired cyclists during a paracycling event held in Mount Pearl in 2017.
We are hoping to be able to expand upon educational offerings to our membership in future. We will, therefore, need individuals with skills to offer in various areas. Perhaps you would like to organize a Sprockids program or offer your skills to teach a short session in bicycle maintenance and repair. You may even be interested in volunteering as a competitive cycling coach.
Some of you may be more interested in governance or committee work. From time to time, we seek out committed individuals to serve on our board or to participate on committees. Our directors and regional representatives chair a variety of working committees dedicated to different facets of cycling. If you see an area of interest where you would like to contribute, feel free to contact the Board Director or Regional Representative assigned to that specific area and offer your assistance.
We will be actively seeking volunteers for some of these and other endeavours. Details will be advertised in various ways - the News section of the website, on facebook and/or via newsletter.
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