Bicycle Trade Association of Canada relaunches as Canadian Independent Bicycle Retailers Association

On Wednesday, the board of the Bicycle Trade Association of Canada (BTAC) announced that the organization would retire the BTAC brand and relaunch as the Canadian Independent Bicycle Retailers Association (CIBRA).

A release by the new organization said the CIBRA would focus on independent retailers in Canada, which was also a stated aim of the former entity. CIBRA’s mission statement is “to lead Canadian independent bicycle retailers, with the support of our supplier members, toward strength and excellence through focused advocacy, constructive communications and partnerships, and practical education and training programs.”

“My colleagues and I on the board of directors are very excited to begin this season with a new focus and energy through CIBRA,” said Kevin Senior, president of the board of directors and owner of Bow Cycle in Calgary. “We have spent the past year consulting with industry stakeholders about the future of our association and we have developed a vision and mission that is relevant and responsive to the suggestions we have heard.”

“The creation of CIBRA reflects the organization’s emphasis on improving, and advocating for independent entrepreneurs, who stand proudly at the front lines of the Canadian cycling industry,” said Bill Yetman, executive director. “The CIBRA logo—a streamlined cyclist tailed by a sales tag adorned with a maple leaf—represents new momentum and revitalized energy, as well as the pride to speak as the collective voice of Canadian independent bike retailers.”

At an upcoming general meeting, a new governance structure will be presented. The new organization also needs new bylaws, which will be presented to the membership soon. Currently the CIBRA is operating under the old BTAC structure.

The announcement follows BTAC’s Decmeber 2014 cancellation of its annual ExpoCycle event. At the time, Senior said, “We intend to focus our energy and attention on making the association stronger with a new energy, focus and goals.”