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Kimberly Coats – Developing Cycling in Africa
Kimberly Coats has been involved in cycling development across the African continent since 2009. Along with her partner, she established the National Cycling Team of Rwanda. Over the years, she has worked in several countries, including Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. Currently, she is focused on developing the Benin National Cycling Team in partnership with the Benin Cycling Federation. Her primary emphasis is on promoting women’s cycling, and she has sponsored the Women’s Tour du Lunsar twice in collaboration with Team Africa Rising. Recently, she was recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in the Cycling Industry by Escape Collective.
Though Kimberly humbly describes herself as someone who simply "gets girls on bikes," her impact goes far beyond that as a tour de force in the fight for greater opportunities and equality in African cycling. We kick things off with a candid discussion about imposter syndrome and how women can claim their space, make themselves invaluable, and even create jobs where none exist. Kimberly shares her personal journey facing the challenges of a lack of women’s races in Rwanda and the absence of women in cycling decision-making circles. We explore the cultural and societal barriers that women face, including deeply ingrained beliefs around women cycling, from misconceptions about virginity to concerns about women financially supporting their families once they are successful in the sport.
The conversation also dives into the absence of a women’s section in the Tour of Rwanda, despite its long history, and the impressive efforts being made to promote women’s cycling in countries like Benin. Kimberly offers an eye-opening perspective on the upcoming UCI World Championships in Rwanda and the ongoing debate about moving the event to another country.
Throughout the episode, Kimberly Coats challenges the dominant narratives that often portray Africa as a dangerous, overlooked continent, sharing her own powerful experiences working in African cycling and revealing the vibrant and diverse beauty of the continent. Tune in for an insightful, inspiring conversation that sheds light on the struggles, triumphs, and the future of women’s (and mens) cycling in Africa.
The post Kimberly Coats – Developing Cycling in Africa first appeared on She Speaks Sport.
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By She Speaks SportKimberly Coats has been involved in cycling development across the African continent since 2009. Along with her partner, she established the National Cycling Team of Rwanda. Over the years, she has worked in several countries, including Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. Currently, she is focused on developing the Benin National Cycling Team in partnership with the Benin Cycling Federation. Her primary emphasis is on promoting women’s cycling, and she has sponsored the Women’s Tour du Lunsar twice in collaboration with Team Africa Rising. Recently, she was recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in the Cycling Industry by Escape Collective.
Though Kimberly humbly describes herself as someone who simply "gets girls on bikes," her impact goes far beyond that as a tour de force in the fight for greater opportunities and equality in African cycling. We kick things off with a candid discussion about imposter syndrome and how women can claim their space, make themselves invaluable, and even create jobs where none exist. Kimberly shares her personal journey facing the challenges of a lack of women’s races in Rwanda and the absence of women in cycling decision-making circles. We explore the cultural and societal barriers that women face, including deeply ingrained beliefs around women cycling, from misconceptions about virginity to concerns about women financially supporting their families once they are successful in the sport.
The conversation also dives into the absence of a women’s section in the Tour of Rwanda, despite its long history, and the impressive efforts being made to promote women’s cycling in countries like Benin. Kimberly offers an eye-opening perspective on the upcoming UCI World Championships in Rwanda and the ongoing debate about moving the event to another country.
Throughout the episode, Kimberly Coats challenges the dominant narratives that often portray Africa as a dangerous, overlooked continent, sharing her own powerful experiences working in African cycling and revealing the vibrant and diverse beauty of the continent. Tune in for an insightful, inspiring conversation that sheds light on the struggles, triumphs, and the future of women’s (and mens) cycling in Africa.
The post Kimberly Coats – Developing Cycling in Africa first appeared on She Speaks Sport.