RAR-153

RWANDA BEYOND

WHEN CYCLING IS MORE THAN JUSTBIKE RIDING

Rwanda is known as a cycling hotspot, with many people riding bikes daily, international events frequenting the country and a strong history in road cycling. However, what is the impact of cycling in Rwanda? 

We noticed that:

Hundreds of kids dream to become a cyclist and meanwhile ignore necessary schooling. Thousands of cyclists work as bike messenger without much financial aspirations. To ensure that cycling has a net positive impact on the people and the country, we realized it is not sufficient to just promote cycling, but work on a holistic approach, focusing on the 3 S:

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Cycling sport is more than road racing

Sports

Create a team of ambassadors that participate in events in Rwanda and all over the world. The Rwanda Beyond Team will be an example for everyone in Rwanda and beyond. 

Rwanda does not have a culture of amateur cycling or adventure cycling, most people ride bikes because it's a job. Even though the Rwanda Beyond Team will be competing in events, they will also spread the message about the adventure that cycling can offer

Work with existing teams to include them in the beyond programme

Riding bikes brings together people

Social

Bring people together around cycling. Organize cycling initiation courses for kids and adult (women). Organize social events without competitive nature. Work with social media to spread the message of the ambassadors to Rwandans and international fans. 

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Ensure cycling has a positive impact

Society

Provide courses for active and ex cyclists for access to labour market. Work with private sector to create jobs. Increase cycling safety together with GoR.

The plan:

What do we want to achieve

And how do we want to achieve it

ACTIVITIES

1.
Sports

Create a team of ambassadors that participate in events in Rwanda and all over the world. Work with existing teams to include them in the beyond programme

2.
Social

Bring people together around cycling. Organize cycling initiation courses for kids and adult (women). Organize social events without competitive nature. Work with social media to spread the message of the ambassadors

3.
Society

Provide courses for active and ex cyclists for access to labour market. Work with private sector to create jobs. Increase cycling safety together with GoR.

OUTPUTS

1.
More people on bicycles

People take up cycling for fun, commuting and sport.

2.
Cycling leads to prosperity

Thanks to job creation and skilling

3.
Cycling increases health

Increased safety and cycling as a hobby has a positive effect on population health

RESULTS

1.
Cycling improves lives

Increased health, prosperity and happiness

Planned activities for 2023

What exactly are we Planning to do?

Rwanda Beyond Team

The Rwanda Beyond team had a first test run in 2022, we want to improve this activity, by transitioning from a team of racers to a crew of cycling lovers. The team members will be ambassadors for the programme, and be champions of adventure cycling. They will contribute to the whole organization as volunteers when they are not busy racing

Attention for women cycling

Of all the people riding bikes in Rwanda, an estimated 98% are male. Girls and women do not ride bikes for several reasons. In 2023 we want to analyse this, but also take action by organizing women only events and cycling initiations for women. 

Activities for promotion of cycling and fundraising

Rwanda Beyond Bikepacking was organized for the first time in 2022 by RaR events as an alternative for the Race Around Rwanda which was not allowed due to COVID. In 2023 we aim to organize this again with Rwanda Beyond, with the clear goal of fundraising and promoting cycling in Rwanda

Skilling for cyclists

Rwandan Cyclists often have dropped out of school by the age of 16, there are very limited possibilities for these unskilled cyclists to find jobs within the cycling economy. By organizing targeted trainings for cyclists, as well as piloting career coaching programs, we will improve this situation. 

Improving our structure

Rwanda Beyond is started by cycling lovers who realized cyclists in Rwanda deserve more. The organization is ambitious and will need to attract more volunteers, both in Rwanda and internationally, to achieve those ambitions

Contribute

You can help usachieve our dreams

Volunteer

We need skills in communication, graphic design, training methods, nutrition, career coaching, fundraising and others. Do you want to assist Rwanda Beyond? Let us Know!

Contribute Financially

To achieve our ambitious goals, we need financial means. Donate now and become an official Rwanda Beyond Supporter

Organize a Fundraising

Get your cycling crew, group of friends, company, etc . together for a fundraising, we’ll be happy to assist you organizing it!

Donate Bikes and Parts

Both for the team and our training programmes we need bikes and parts. Do you have anything in your garage you did not touch in several months, think about donating them!

Join our events

Our Rwanda Beyond Bikepacking Events are an important source of revenue for us, join them and combine bike exploration with a good cause!

Lead us towards grants

Grants are a great way to fund our programme, but we can’t keep an eye on all of them. Did you hear about anything interesting? Let us know!

Rwanda Beyond Supporters

MADE POSSIBLETHANKSTO

Hunt Bike Wheels

Supporter since the very beginning, partner until the very end. And creator of some amazing wheels

Peloton De Paris

Proudly wearing Peloton de Paris, the Belgian brand with a heart for sustainability and adventure.

Limar Helmets

Limar is an Italian company, with a 30-year-experience in the production of cycle helmets, leading the way with the world’s lightest helmet range.

NorthWave

Text to be added

Apidura

Bags for cycling adventures that have brought us all over the world.

Komoot

Guiding us the way wherever we go, connecting us to other cycling lovers all over the world.

A country of cyclists

cycling in rwanda

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