March 23, 2006, Kitchener, ON

It's early in the planning stages for the launch of Winterborne Bicycle Institute (WBI), and at least one local bike shop owner is already keen to see the results.  As shown in the attached letter, Margaret Pachnik, owner of Ziggy's Cycle & Sports in Kitchener, the areas largest independent bicycle dealer, is on board.  Margaret says, "In recent years the increased emphasis on personal health and fitness, together with concerns about the environment, has led to a boom in the bicycle industry at the retail level. In concert with these trends the technology of bicycle construction has accelerated, with the introduction of carbon composites, disc brakes, increasingly complex suspensions and on-board instrumentation." 

She then adds, "This increased level of both quality and quantity has resulted in the creation of a need for skilled bicycle mechanics, but there is no established formal training scheme in Canada. This lack will slow the growth of the industry as a whole, and prevent creation of satisfying skilled jobs for people all ages."

This underscores the industry need which WBI will fill with it's premiere offering, "Professional Bicycle Mechanics", which will debut in Fall 2006.  WBI is finalizing an agreement with Conestoga College which will see WBI become another off-campus trade school partner.

Contact:  Jay Filer, Winterborne Bicycle Institute, 519-826-0556