
Unity amongst cyclists is all we need to grow our cycling industry
The cycling industry in Kenya has been slowly but surely growing over the past few years due to various reasons like rise in public transport fares in major towns, more competitive sporting events, need for fitness, leisure, sports tourism and easy access to cycling equipment. Unfortunately our cycling federation the Kenya Amateur Cycling Federation (KACF) has done very little to achieve this growth. That begs the questions, who is responsible for this growth? How will we drive further growth and development in the cycling industry in future? It seems these kind questions are not asked hard enough and accurately answered by those positioned to do so, the cyclists.
As cyclists we should realize that every generation helps make its own future, we carry the responsibility to improve our situation. We should be asking how do we want the cycling industry to look like 10 years from now? What must we do to achieve that future? Our cycling industry is quickly rising to a level where growth will be impossible without the help and support of an institution which unites and supports all levels of cycling. We desperately need to use our networks to unite cyclists from all parts of the country and think of ways to solve our problems. When divided we are powerless and voiceless. We need to select leaders amongst ourselves who are passionate about cycling and who will unite cyclists and push the cycling agenda forward. Leaders who will think of elevating our industry from amateur to a professional level, this kind of change cannot be realized by individual effort. We need to come up with and support organizations which will advocate for better cycling infrastructure, provide legal protections for cyclists, include cycling interests in new legislation, educate cyclists and motorists, increase public and political support for bicycling, communicate the health, environmental and social benefits of cycling for both individuals and communities.
The Kenya Amateur Cycling Federation (KACF) has failed to effectively carry out its responsibility. Many cyclists have been complaining of unfair treatment and disregard from the federation, because of this, we have lost some talented cyclists to other occupations or to foreign countries, a good example is Chriss Froome. Our roads have been made in favour of transport systems designed for the motor vehicle, therefore, making cycling a dangerous affair for most road users, Very few races or events have been organized by the federation within the past ten years. There is also very little information about the federations internal affairs such as its yearly calendar, its elections, members, officials, its meetings, where it gets funding and how the funding is used and the criteria for selecting the national team. This kind of secrecy is a recipe for corruption within such organizations. We need to come up with functional cycling clubs which will Unite cyclists and take part in the development of cycling in our country. Trough the clubs, we can monitor and evaluate the performance of our cycling federation and ensure compliance with the set standards and guidelines in our cycling industry. The Kenya Amateur Cycling Federation also needs to facilitate and support upcoming clubs because this is where local talent can be tapped.
Kenyan cyclists need to stop complaining about the weaknesses of the cycling federation. Instead, we should look into ourselves and ask what role we can play as individuals, that way we can can think of ways to work with the federation and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to develop cycling in Kenya. Its up to us; nothing will change without the active participation of each and every cyclist. Right now we have the perfect opportunity to change our situation and improve our cycling industry. When we work as a team success is is guaranteed.
Comments
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Oscar M
July 23, 2019 at 10:13 amI support this cause. We need to organize for a countrywide peaceful demonstration to create awareness and move the government to make laws that declare upon any road construction, it’s mandatory to have a cycling lane and there should be laws protecting the cyclists.
michael mugo
September 29, 2013 at 9:11 pmFunny of it all to make of some of the comments we gets to read. Watu waache kutugayanisha! Sisi hatutaki kujua kumuhusu mtu! If you have a feud with someone take it to them but we don’t wanna hear that nasty shit. We are here to talk about bike or else becaming a cyclist or a better. Sio kujenga chuki!we don’t want to be colonized on how to run our affairs! We are independent and it somehow breaks my heart to see one create a rift and disrupt peace and create tension between coz for one these fun page isn’t ones its for all. We don’t want to to start asking question rather than we want to come with a way of creating a better way of younger generation of cyclistes to come. Period
michael mugo
September 29, 2013 at 8:52 pmNeil, I,d somehow agree with you. Cycling is ones interest and it has to start with you but so much on it, I’d some how beg to differ with you. What you don’t understand is, it doesn’t matter how much of a worth a bike kinjah can ride. Actuaaly with no offense, I don’t think its a. Sin like how you put it he si riding that carbon but so much y we like kinjah and somehow some of us worship him like a small god in cycling is because, if it wasn’t for him sorry so say, cycling in kenya would be dead!!!!! I have to agree also with that there is a big rumour that kinjah has enslaved and somehow oppreses his young cyclist club member but one thing for sure is he worked his ass hard to be where he is! I don’t an F if iam riding aluminium and he is riding carbon but as long as he is equiping me to get to his level and one shine. Now that is what matters. About chris froome, I think you should somehow apologize and get to enquire more and also, it doesn’t count on bein a F-racist! We africans can ride as well. PROUD TO AFRICAN! WEAREONE.
neil
September 29, 2013 at 6:46 amha,the comment by the dreaded guy is worth a laugh,ever heard of a hypocrite,fake smiles,fake stories and conmen of the 21st century,am frm the US n happend to go to this guy’s place in kikuyu,al he talks about is needy orphaned kids who need help,the bikes this guy rides are well worth $3500 and he doesnt have one,but several,now the boys ride outdated ones nt worth discusing,to add insult to the injury,i talkd to one of the boys and learnt alot,this guy gets alot & i mean alot of money from sponsors in the name of helping the orphans(most of them hv parents) i lookd at the boys and by the look of it the money does nt reach them;talk of exploitation huh,that explains where those carbon bikes come from,if he was for real then each of the guys should be riding the same gud bikes,but clearly this guy is a con,then,this racket of how much he coached froome,i dismiss that as bs,when i will see a black rider on the podium who he has coached,maybe i wil recognise his effort,infact this guy is the one hindering the growth of the sport,many investors r willing to invest in the sport bt al he does is bad mouth the fed which ofcourse has shortcomings bt this bloke is worst of,a good project and i approved of is the kenyan riders club in eldoret,there are tangible results there and the club is rarely on media,very humble n active unlike this guy always in tv n gazzettes calling for support to keep his con running,my opinion is that pple shld think for themselves and put an effort where there is most return.
regards.
neil kharim
George
March 20, 2013 at 1:33 pmGreat article, nicely said. It would be great if cyclists could get together and form more of a presence on the roads – it doesn’t have to be everyone, of course. Just to be able to encourage those that are interested in cycling but are daunted by Nairobi drivers and pot-holed roads would be a good first step…. I look forward to watching the growth!!
Fredrick Odero
March 20, 2013 at 7:57 pmThanks for your encouragement George. We will work hard with passionate cyclists to ensure positive change in the near future.
Bryan
March 19, 2013 at 7:42 pmFred, how can one join your federation, and where are you based? I’d like to join
Fredrick Odero
March 20, 2013 at 6:51 amThanks for your comment Bryan. We are based at spring Valley lower Kabete road. you can follow this link to find us http://www.cycloville.co.ke/contact-us/
We have not yet formed a Union but we have formed a cycling club called Club Cycloville Kenya. currently we are working on a plan to unite cyclists so that we can form one union to represent us. If you are interested in participating you can join our club or work with our club. I will keep you posted and send you more info about our club through email or you can check out our Facebook page Cycloville Kenya. You can also share your ideas through email ojfredrick2009@gmail.com, cyclovillekenya@gmail.com or info@cycloville.co.ke your effort will be highly appreciated.
Kinjah
March 19, 2013 at 5:46 pmGood writeup, yes we need to unite cyclists so they can move their mountains of trouble and frustrations from the KCF. We need to encourage cyclists to join together to form and register clubs that which we can bring together under one umbrella body for development of the sport and its affiliate projects for business.
Main problem is that, there are cyclists who are very self centered!, which leads to jealousy, greed and hatred which leads to “usaliti”…. they said “kikulacho ki nguoni mwako”. But we hope more and more cyclists who have sided with Kamaliza have learned their lessons and are working hard to do justice to all cyclists and the sport as a whole.
United we stand, divided we keep falling.
Regards,
Kinjah.
Fredrick Odero
March 19, 2013 at 6:21 pmMany thanks for your comment David Kinjah and big up to the work you have done for our cycling industry. I must say we have a huge challenge facing us cyclists, i suggest we take a step by coming up with a plan. The main challenge we have is bringing cyclist together to have a common goal, but, technology has simplified our work. We have nothing to lose by trying and all to gain if it works.
michael mugo
September 29, 2013 at 9:01 pmSuccess must always be followed with a bunch haters hatespeech. Please, uphold your diginity and do nothing about it and kinjah, we are proud of you and we love you very much.
zak
March 18, 2013 at 4:33 amI support your cause. Keep up
Fredrick Odero
March 19, 2013 at 4:52 pmthanks for your support zak