Happy New Year!
- Mike Upton
- Jan 3
- 4 min read
What 2025 Taught Us and What We’re Building Toward in 2026
In just 21 months of operation in North Vancouver, North Shore Bike Park welcomed over 100,000 visitors through the doors. During that same period, nearly 9,000 kids attended birthday parties, and on a monthly basis an average of over 3,700 riders enjoyed the park. Those numbers are proof that the concept resonated with families and that the demand for inclusive, family-friendly wheeled sport spaces is very real.
The Move to Maple Ridge and the Community That Made It Possible
In early 2025, our lease in North Vancouver was unexpectedly terminated to make room for pickleball. While the business was healthy and growing, external pressures meant we suddenly had to find a new home and quickly. What happened next is something we’ll never forget.
Customers, parents, riders, and supporters volunteered their time, energy, and equipment to help dismantle the park, move materials, and begin rebuilding in a new city over an hour away. That level of effort doesn’t happen unless what you’ve built truly matters to people. It validated the core belief behind West Coast Bike Parks: that family-centred recreation spaces can become genuine community assets.
Early Wins and Real Constraints in Maple Ridge
As of January 1, 2026, the Maple Ridge park has been open for just over seven weeks. That’s barely enough time to draw conclusions, but it is enough time to learn some important truths.
Early Wins
The response from Maple Ridge and the surrounding valley has been overwhelmingly positive. Surveys, in-person feedback, and online reviews all point to the same thing: families value a welcoming, community-driven environment built around wheeled sports.
We’ve also seen a different mix of users, with more scooters than we historically saw in North Vancouver, which has led us to adapt terrain flow and programming accordingly.
We recently completed the Pipeline section, designed to support progression for less confident riders while still challenging more skilled ones.
We’re also finishing the Little Shredders Zone at the north end of the building, a better-defined space for balance bikes and young riders, or those building up some confidence, to learn and play safely. Watch as we develop this space over the coming months.
Real Constraints
The Maple Ridge facility is less than half the size of our North Vancouver terrain floor. That creates unavoidable limitations. We simply cannot represent every level of progression in the same way we once did, especially for the smallest and newest riders, while still operating a viable business. This is not a lack of intent; it’s an economic and spatial constraint.
The building is also cold, particularly in the upper mezzanines. While our original plan was to invest in heating upgrades, we were faced with a more urgent priority: safety. We invested $12,000 in new foam for the foam pit after recognising that the existing foam posed a potential safety concern. That decision delayed heating improvements but safety and terrain q
uality will always come first.
Everything currently in Maple Ridge has been built using operating cash flow. There has been no new investment, no external financing, and no financial assistance supporting the rebuild.
When we talk about safety, we draw a clear distinction. Our responsibility is to ensure that terrain, structures, layout, and certifications meet or exceed all required standards, from fire load to structural and code compliance. Behavioural safety, however, is shared. While we guide and manage where possible, parents and riders play a critical role in maintaining etiquette and helping create a safe, enjoyable environment for everyone.
Looking Ahead to 2026: A Vision Shaped by Experience
Everything we’re building toward in 2026 is grounded in what 2025 taught us.
With the terrain floor nearly complete, our focus shifts to refinement: clearer signage, stronger visual cues around etiquette, and environmental improvements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the park.
Beyond riding, Maple Ridge is becoming the new flagship for what North Shore Bike Park is evolving into: a true family recreation centre. In 2026, we’re working toward introducing a kid-friendly axe-throwing experience, designed to align with our rugged north shore-inspired, active-together ethos. A climbing area is also in development, intentionally welcoming non-riders and guests of all ages.
Food and beverage offerings are another important step. We’re currently piloting hot food and expect to expand this in early 2026, allowing families to spend more time together in the space without needing to leave.
Birthday parties remain an important part of the model as well. While they’re only one piece of the puzzle, they reflect something core to what we do: offering families a full-day experience, not just a time slot. This aspect of the park will continue to evolve alongside amenities and programming.
From a business development perspective, 2026 is also about collaboration. We’re actively interested in working with local Maple Ridge and Fraser Valley businesses, as well as national brands, instructors, vendors, and content creators who believe in family-friendly recreation. Past partnerships have shown how powerful shared values and cross-promotion can be.
Most importantly, the lessons of 2025 reinforce a long-term goal: multiple facilities. Maple Ridge cannot - and is not meant to - replace everything North Vancouver once offered. The broader vision is a network of complementary spaces that together allow riders of all ages and confidence levels to progress, explore, and belong.
2026 isn’t about pretending the past year was easy. It’s about building forward carefully, honestly, and with purpose, based on everything we’ve learned along the way.
Thank you for being part of the journey. Happy New Year and we look forward to sharing 2026 with your family.
North Shore Bike Park
