Bike Project, South Africa – led by the University of Leeds. 2025
The 2025 team of staff and students spent a period of 4 weeks in rural Nkandla delivering a series of cycling clinics for beginners & improvers as well as a week-long sport & leadership festival for 3 schools in the township of Eshowe. The team comprised two staff members (one from Leeds Sport & one from LUU, supporting their commitment to working in partnership) and 8 students from a range of disciplines, including one international student from India and 2 students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Cycling clinics are the main focus of the project and these are conducted alongside their long-term partner, KZN Cycling and their local development officer, Sonqoba. The clinics aim to introduce cycling to new audiences as well as further develop the skills of more competent riders. Students also teach bike maintenance skills to help keep the fleet on the road.
Through our donations of bike parts, students are able to teach children not only how to ride but also how to maintain their bikes. This simple yet powerful initiative helps reduce a two-hour daily walk to school into a much quicker, easier journey — giving children more time to learn, play, and thrive.
