Black History Month Cyclist Spotlight: Dave Thomas

Dave Thomas

How long have you been cycling?

I learned to ride around the age of four, but I started splitting my time between BMX and skateboarding at 13, eventually choosing BMX over skateboarding at 16.

How did you get into cycling?

My dad taught me to ride. I vividly remember the first time he said he was still holding on to the back of my bike, but he wasn’t. I ran off the sidewalk into the grass, falling over. It’s my first memory of failing and trying again on a bike, something that‘s been a consistent part of my riding journey ever since.  
 
I was first exposed to BMX through two books I purchased at my schoolbook fair: Greg’s First Race and BMX In Action. This was years before I got my first BMX bike and was able to try it for myself.  
 
An employee at the local bike store, Dr. David Starmer, sold me my first Mongoose and invited me to the local BMX track, Milton BMX (then Track 2000). There, I met other riders who eventually introduced me to the different aspects of BMX. I stopped racing at 16 and transitioned to freestyle. I think I rode my first competition around that time as well.  
 
Dave and I are still friends today, and that track is still around. It was the second track I raced at after starting to race again with my son 20 years later. 

What cycling club or team do you ride with?

My home track is Stouffville BMX and I coach for Cycling Canada. I also ride for Joyride 150/The Boiler Room, which is also the facility I own and work at.

Where is your favorite place to ride your bike?

Physically, Joyride 150. however, I like to ride wherever my friends are. Which often happens to be Joyride 150.

How has community played a role in your experience as a cyclist?

Community is a huge part of what has kept me around BMX and inspired me to give back. I was fortunate enough to be a part of really growing the sport in Mississauga through activism and event organization with a group called the Action Sport Coalition. We were able to get new dirt and concrete facilities for riders and help usher in change to allow existing facilities to be friendly for bikes. 
 
In the years I’ve been involved, I’ve been riding with so many of the same people from the beginning. Two of my friends, Dave and Mike, have been riding together for more years than we have not at this point. I know outside of BMX I could call on them for absolutely anything, and that’s huge. I don’t have that connection with people I’ve met through other sports like Hockey. 
 
I really hope that everyone riding can make the kind of memories and build the kind of relationships I have been fortunate enough to through cycling.  

What does Black History Month mean to you personally?

It’s always a great time to celebrate both the successes and struggles of the Black community.   
 
Things are better in so many ways, diversity is much more present in a lot of areas. At the same time a lot of things are worse. The anonymity of the internet has really put a strange twist on things from a race perspective. It’s important that we don’t forget the past and plan for a better future often that comes with calling out bad actors.  

What changes would you like to see in cycling to make it more inclusive and accessible?

I would encourage more black families to allow and encourage their children to have a real passion for cycling beyond just a hobby or mode of transportation. 
 
The sport and industry offer so many opportunities beyond just riding the bike. I’d love to see more black competitors, business owners, track operators, mechanics, sales reps, therapists, and trainers at the events I go to. Passion and presence matter, and once people see that, it becomes hard to ignore.