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Bowen Bike Park open soon

There’s something for everyone at the new Bowen Island Bike Park, opening Sunday, April 22.
Rider Viggo Henrichsen at the Bowen Island Bike Park.
Rider Viggo Henrichsen at the Bowen Island Bike Park.

There’s something for everyone at the new Bowen Island Bike Park, opening Sunday, April 22.

“It’s been a long haul,” says volunteer Jennifer Henrichsen of the Bike Park Group. “It’s been two and a half year process so the completion is huge.”

The new 1,600 square-metre park— located behind Bowen Island Community School — has a wide range of tracks for all types of riders, she says, even kids who use run bikes or balance bikes.

“There’s a small pump track for them,” she says, of the run bikes, adding: “Get them young and then they’ll progress.”

Her son Viggo, 14, will be one of the park’s bike mentors, offering tips and instruction when it opens.

He adds, he’s looking forward to being able to ride the new park on Bowen.

“It’s good to have an actual spot where you can ride that won’t get taken down and you can go — and not have to go into Vancouver,” he says.

And he’s got some praise for the design too.

“It’s a lot better than I thought it was going to be,” he says. “It’s more diverse. There’s things for all age groups and skill levels.”

What does that mean for him and his friends this summer? “A lot more biking,” he says. 

Melissa Harrison, another Bike Park Group volunteer, says the opening celebration will include a free barbecue, bike tricks and more.

The celebration kicks off at 12 p.m, April 22.