Routt County Riders (RCR) has been in existence since 1991, when they formed as a loosely structured club centered on the growing population of cyclists in the Yampa Valley.
Since then, community-based evolution has been part of the RCR ethos as they have developed into a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit group with a major focus on cycle-based advocacy in the Steamboat Springs area. That work originally centered on the ever-expanding trail networks in Routt County and ensuring sustainability in their development and maintenance.
Over the course of the last few years their support of adolescents, particularly in middle school, has led to RCR expanding their educational initiatives and push-in support among the school districts of the Yampa Valley.
As time went on and the communities of the Yampa Valley diversified, the organization further identified the necessity to transition towards supporting minority groups with their pursuits surrounding cycling as well.
That concept would blossom into an idea that was based on a desire to ensure equity, safety, access, and inclusion for all ages and demographics in Routt County.
As an organization, RCR has used a five year strategic plan to address one of their overarching goals, which is the reduction of barriers that exist for certain groups in the area by providing free and low-cost bikes, as well as maintenance, to those who are in need. Providing education regarding cycling, and access to it, is also part of their current community plan.
“A lot of time this happens through really strong partnerships with other agencies in town,” said RCR Executive Director Laraine Martin. “I think the best example of what we are doing…is the Bike Match program where we are collecting donated equipment, supplies, and bikes from people in the community and matching those to people in need.”
Courtesy Photo/Routt County Riders
Owing to the cost of bikes and cycling equipment, the groups that typically receive aid from RCR are lower-income families and those who are “traditionally underrepresented” in the cycling community as a whole.
On July 12, the Bike Match program reached a momentous milestone in Hayden, as they celebrated their 500th bike to rider connection at the Hayden Farmers’ Market through Iron Wheel Bicycle Service. Owner Essam Welch has been a major supporter of the program since its inception and has also been a major contributor to the Hayden cycling community as well.
Additionally, their E-bike access program, which was made possible through a grant from the state of Colorado, will provide 50+ e-bikes to lower income community members. Working alongside a host of local partners, including the City of Steamboat, electric-assist bicycles are provided to those in need. The program has been a massive success since its implementation.
Courtesy Photo/Routt County Riders
The advocacy focus of RCR, according to Martin, is on providing access to cycling by improving the availability of resources and through thorough representation of the populations of “the Valley”. According to Martin, effective representation involves pushing back against larger societal constructs of who “should be” participating in cycling, which is the result of advertisement-based targeting of certain racial and age demographics. This advertising can result in certain sectors of the population not being exposed to, or represented in, cycling.
Other community organizations, including SBT GRVL, are also using large events to uplift the voices of underrepresented groups within the bike-based community. Organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Colorado (BGCNWC), as well as The Cycle Effect (TCE), have been instrumental to RCR’s increased pace of advocacy work within the region.
“We are changing the dynamics, getting more folks represented within the community who don’t fit the traditional mold, and pushing those narratives out more,” said Martin.
“We are also trying to improve, through the e-bike match program and open community shop hours, in having more people around that offer more programming bilingually as a resource to Spanish speakers and recent immigrants to the United States,” said Martin.
RCR is also utilizing the availability of local and statewide grants that are focused on getting more equipment and support to Hispanic communities
“We can bring things to a certain point,” said Martin. “As far as the economic development and the diversification of recreation-based resources, those are huge things for a community that is in an economic transition.”
The (rapidly) developing nature of cycling in the Yampa Valley, and the people that make up its communities, are part of RCR’s assurance that everyone, regardless of gender, race, or economic background, have access to resources and equipment to join the region’s rapidly growing bike-based coalition.
And, don’t forget, Steamboat Locals is teaming up with Jon Wade and The Steamboat Group to help raise money for The Cycle Effect throughout July. For every song request made on our homepage or app in the month of July, The Steamboat Group will donate $1 to Cycle Effect and $1 to Routt County Riders, up to $500 total! Find more details on our homepage.
In July, Steamboat Locals’ writer John Camponeschi will be presenting you a four-part series of stories about Steamboat advocacy groups that ensure equity and access to the great outdoors.
Read Part One – Colorado Women Flyfishers
Read Part Two – Colorado Women Flyfishers
The “Advocacy Groups Ensuring Equity & Access in the Outdoors” series of stories is proudly presented to you by Jon Wade and The Steamboat Group as a continuation of their commitment to “Keep Steamboat Special” by supporting non-profits and events that promote adventure and the active Steamboat lifestyle!