Cycling 2 000 km to Empower Rural Youth

On 18 March 2025, Jaco Kotze and Philip van der Merwe will embark on a 2 000 km bicycle journey across South Africa to raise funds and awareness for the non-profit Cycle2Ride Skills Development. This journey will positively impact on the lives of thousands of children through cycling.

The Bicycle League programme, sponsored by the EduInnov8 Foundation and operated by Cycle2Ride skills development NPO, has a life-changing effect, especially on the lives of youth in rural areas and urban informal settlements. According to Jaco Kotze, founder of Cycle2Ride, basic education statistics in these communities reveal a lack of social and emotional development opportunities for these children, contributing to early exit or poor performance in their basic education careers. Providing an otherwise unattainable opportunity to become part of a cycling community brings hope and inspiration.

The team will complete the journey across South Africa in 23 days – from Port Nolloth on the West Coast to reach Ballito on the East Coast by 9 April 2025. The aim is to raise R1 000 for each kilometer completed to expand the Cycle2Ride programme. Each bicycle introduced into a community benefits up to 16 children, offering them weekly coaching sessions and the chance to participate in at least four short-track Bicycle League events hosted in local communities to make cycling available in areas where this would usually not be possible.

“We have witnessed personal growth and a boost in self-confidence in the young riders. The programme provides bicycles, structured coaching and the opportunity to participate in community cycling events. Participants must, however, maintain or improve their academic performance, exhibit exemplary behavior, and consistently attend school to remain in the programme,” says Kotze.

RURAL CYCLING PROJECT CHANGES LIVES

The Bottelary Hills Cycling Development Initiative launched in 2022 in collaboration with Cycle2Ride is having a marked impact on the lives of children in the rural community.

Local youth within the Bottelary Hills Renosterveld Conservancy area from Bottelary Primary School, Vlottenburg Primary School, St Vincents Primary School, Froggies Aftercare at Devon Valley Primary School and Pebbles Project are given the opportunity to explore cycling as a sport.

Weekly coaching sessions by professional cyclist and former SA national champion Jaco Venter enable learners to hone their cycling skills. Training aims to improve handling skills, develop the ability to cycle in groups and near other riders, improve gear selection, establish a level of fitness and endurance that will assist in riding trails and increase the riding time, setting goals and training with a purpose as part of a team.

During the short track series, where the participating rural schools competed against each other on single speed BMX bikes, the Bottelary Hills team of 10 riders was selected to compete in the 2025 Western Cape School MTB League on multi-speed mountain bikes donated by the WAWWA Foundation to give them a competitive chance in the provincial competition.

According to Bernadette November, Life Skills & Extra-Curricular Manager at Pebbles Project, the impact of learners who form part of the Bottelary Hills cycling development project and competed in the short track series was significant.

The Western Cape Schools MTB League will see riders between the ages of 6 and 19 representing 85 schools compete across five events. The series kicks off at Devonbosch (https://devonbosch.co.za/) on Saturday, 15 March. Registration opens at 06h50 with Primary School races between 07h15 and 12h00, while the high school races will take place between 12h00 and 16h30.

Register to ride in Bicycle League events in your area online at https://www.entries.thebicycleleague.co.za/home?sfnsn=scwspwa

Render your support for the Cycle2Ride fundraising drive via https://www.givengain.com/cause/144968/campaigns/30354/