First-of-its Kind Deaf Bike Festival Kicks off in Bentonville

BENTONVILLE — Over 100 Deaf cyclists from all over the U.S. will travel to Bentonville’s mountain bike trails for a weekend of pedaling and connecting with like-minded ASL (American Sign Language) users. During the weekend of Oct. 13-16, 2022, at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve, the Deaf social cycling event, Bikeboom series, will be filled with skills clinics, group tours, volunteering, and panel discussions to learn more about Deaf experiences.

People with disabilities represent the largest minority group in the world and have been left behind in the outdoor recreation industry. Deaf individuals also have been underserved and underprivileged, making it difficult to afford a mountain bike or find riding partners who communicate with ASL.

The Deaf bike festival was made possible by the Walton Family Foundation, Ozark Outdoor Foundation and Visit Bentonville to ensure bike rentals are free and help with other expenses so Deaf cyclists, from first-timers to Deaflympian medalists, can converge and grow the sport within the Deaf community. “The biggest impact is when deaf youth is exposed to experienced deaf cyclists, this breaks the language hurdle that breaks much more language barriers when it takes a village of support,” said Zachary Sisson, the organizer of the Bikeboom series.

Deaflympian medalists John Klish, of Grand Junction, Colorado, and Paul Wood, of Washington, D.C., will be present and leading the panel discussion Thursday, Oct. 13, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at The Hub. Bentonville’s Ciara Logan, who is a huge part of organizing the Bikeboom event, and Bridget Berrigan, of Manor, Texas, who biked 4,270 miles across the nation with two other Deaf women, will also join the discussion. All panelists are Deaf and sign-language interpreters are provided to the media in attendance.

“You don’t often find many Deaf cyclists in a community of Deaf people in a city. Bringing them altogether from all across the world makes a meaningful impact. Where these Deaf folks can learn and enjoy other people like them on bikes,” Sisson added.

Learn more at https://www.bikereg.com/55025 and via Social Media Links [Instagram: @Bikeboom_official_mtb / FB @BikeboomSeries / TikTok @BikeboomSeries ]