Pedal to the Metal! RDN celebrates grand opening of Bike Pump Track in Cedar
This past Monday, August 31st, rubber hit the track following a ribbon cutting at a new Bike Pump Track dedicated in memory of Mike Davidson. (Luis Zablah / CHLY 101.7FM)
Ride On! A new Bike Pump Track has been officially launched in Cedar.
This past Monday, August 31st, rubber hit the track following a ribbon cutting at a new Bike Pump Track dedicated in memory of Mike Davidson. The track is a collaboration between the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) and the Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation.
The Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation was created in 2016, after the passing of Canadian world champion downhill mountain biker Steve Smith. Started by a group of Smith’s family, friends and members of the riding community, the foundation promotes the positive power of mountain biking and looks to equip Canada’s next generation of gravity athletes.
The foundation funded the design and installation of the track located near the Cedar Skate Park in Nanaimo Ladysmith Public School District. The RDN has set up an agreement with School District 68 to manage the track and maintain it with costs funded through the Electoral Area A community Parks and Halls operating budget.
Director for Electoral Area A, Jessica Stanley (pictured) takes the podium to comment on the new track. (Luis Zablah / CHLY 101.7FM)
Jessica Stanley, Director for Electoral Area A commented on how she hopes the new track will help the community.
“This new pump track is a great addition, enabling people to be active, to develop skills, gather as a community, and for some to try something new,” said Stanley. “So I have deep gratitude to the Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation for bringing this to life, and to the donors who, through their contributions to the foundation, helped create this incredible community amenity.”
The RDN has set up a license of use agreement with School District 68 to manage the property. Tim Harris, a trustee from Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools was in attendance representing the district.
Tim Harris (pictured), a trustee from Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools was in attendance representing the district. (Luis Zablah / CHLY 101.7FM)
“As a school district, we are very proud to be able to provide a partnership and the property for this meaningful community amenity. Schools are at the heart of the communities, and whenever we can support initiatives that benefit children, youth, and families beyond the school and adjacent to our school buildings, we see that as an important investment in the community well-being,” said Harris. “This pump track is much more than a recreational facility. It is a place where young people can develop confidence, learn new skills, challenge themselves, stay active, and connect with friends.”
The pump track is named in memory of Mike Davidson, who was raised in Nanaimo and was a passionate member of the community. In Cedar, Davidson frequently volunteered with local youth sports before passing away unexpectedly in 2024. He was Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Nanaimo Port Authority, overseeing day-to-day operations of the port.
His family connections to the local BMX scene were top of mind at the ribbon cutting. His widow Kathy spoke to this.
“On behalf of the Davidson family, I want to express how meaningful it is for us to see this pump track become a reality on literally the very grounds where Mike's mom helped launch BMX [in Cedar] in the early 1980s.”
Mike Davidson’s family, Kathy Davidson and his grandson (pictured), express their honour with the new track. (Luis Zablah / CHLY 101.7FM)
Davidson’s mother, Marie Davidson was deeply involved in the BMX community in Cedar, helping to create the BMX track in the early 1980s. Kathy Davidson explained the history behind bike racing in the area.
“Marie just lived out on Woebank Road over here, and she thought, "Well, why are we driving all the time to Campbell River? Let's get together with some other parents and build a track here,” said Davidson. “Marie believed that young people needed somewhere to go, something positive to be a part of, and a community that would encourage them. Mike carried that same belief forward.”
Davidson’s contribution to the BMX community ran deep, as not only an announcer at local track events, but also as an announcer at provincial and national events over the last two decades.
Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation founder Michelle Corfield gives a glimpse into the process of getting the track built.
Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation founder Michelle Corfield (pictured) takes the mic to explain the process of getting the track built. (Luis Zablah / CHLY 101.7FM)
“Anyone else who believed in us, because at that time it wasn't going to be a paved pump truck, was it, Dana? It wasn't going to be a paved pump track,” said Corfield. “I said, it has to be paved, and it had to be a Velo Solutions Park because I believe when we were building the Steve Smith Legacy Foundation, Stevie Smith Park in Nanaimo that it had to be a world class facility, and we did that.”
Corfield explained how the new pump track is different from other facilities in the area. She said it features a two line approach, with one side of the track for beginners and the other for intermediate racers.
“This park has more lines to ride than you can imagine. This is not just a single ride line pump track that you've seen before. This is a new, advanced, second, third-generation pump track.”
With speeches completed, officials and company take the stage to cut the ribbon and open the track for the community. (Luis Zablah / CHLY 101.7FM)
After their speeches, officials, elders and members of the Davidson family gather around to cut the ribbon and hand things over to the beneficiaries of the track: a crowd of young riders waiting to take the honorary first laps in memory of Mike Davidson.
Just before they hit the pavement, Corfield shared a closing statement with the community.
“It's for the children to have a place and space to ride within their community, and to create new memories amongst each other, and to create memories with their families. That's what these pump tracks do.”
Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.
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