“I saw a different image from what you usually see in society like looking in with the image of the boys with the balaclavas and that. I thought I would hang around and see what I could do with the boys” – Kimami Ngaluafe
Wanting to make a change in his life, Kimami Ngaluafe decided to pick up a bicycle as a way to help with his health.
It’s a decision he now looks back on as a defining moment in his life.
“I’ve spent years at gyms and parks you know, like challenges trying to lose weight, and maintain that weight loss, and I think I have finally found something where it benefits my health, my mental health and also it brings community,” Kimami says.
That “community” he refers to has now become family for him. A group of young boys who, like him, also use cycling as a way of resetting and refreshing the mind.
And although they were younger than him, a lot of their stories resonated with Kimami.
“I saw a different image from what you usually see in society, like looking in with the image of the boys with the balaclavas and that. I thought I would hang around and see what I could do with the boys.
“On the first bike rides we went on, one thing that stood out to me or the highlight of that day was these two kids that had a conversation with me while we were riding in a pack.
“And one screamed out, ‘this is the best day of my life!’
“I was like wow, if this is the best thing happening in his life right now, imagine what’s really going on behind closed doors. So I thought I would keep the door open and keep the rides running.”
Since then, Kimami has continuously hosted what he calls “rideouts” within the community, allowing these youngsters to come through and take part in the rides.
And not only are the rides taking place, but Kimami has been able to find sponsors and donors willing to help out with merchandise and accessories to give out to the young ones present.
He also puts on a small lunch and water station to help re-energise the riders and everyone taking part. As he says, it’s his way of helping to bring in the community and change their perspective on the kids.
But it is a struggle, he admits, trying to organise all of this as, along the way, he has copped some backlash. Despite this, he’s not afraid to take on board the concerns and find solutions.
One major issue has been around road safety, of both the riders and the public, highlighting the lack of protection like helmets worn by the young riders.
As Kimami puts it, the two factors that most people don’t know that affect the riders with this issue are fashion and finance.
He says most riders, given their age, would rather not wear helmets as it is deemed “not cool” and for many of them, they just can afford one.
“I’m creating workshops where me and the boys come in and design helmets. We understand that fashion is a barrier here and also money is a barrier. So we come in and create helmets and affordable ones,” he says.
“I do also have the police on board as well. They help with our routes and that, especially with keeping not only the riders but the public safe as well. Our number one goal is for everyone to go home at the end of the day safely.
“This is our 7th or 8th rideout now, and we have had no injuries or crashes and everyone has gone home safely. So we hope to keep it that way.”
It may be slow progress, but Kimami hopes being able to be the bridge between the youngsters and the public can bring both parties together.
And it’s something he says is bearing fruit, as he starts to see more riders from different walks of life coming through and joining the movement.
“There are a couple of cycling communities that I call the tights community. They’ve reached out to me to bring the boys along to their tights community rideouts.
“They said that their rideouts are not getting the numbers so they wouldn’t mind the colour, they wouldn’t mind some colour there. Just seeing that bro, crossing paths, you know, like inclusion.”
Inclusion and acceptance is the end goal for Kimami, hoping to be someone they can confide with.
“I think after all these rideouts, what I have learnt is that the majority of these kids don’t have dads eh, or they don’t have proper guidance. Some have parents at home, but maybe on drugs or just not present you know. What I realise at these bike rides (is), it creates a safe space for them.
“To me, a successful kid, or a coachable kid is a kid that listens, respects and honours their parents. And it’s showing that if they are not getting it at home, where else are they gonna get that golden lecture and quality advice?
“I believe I can’t change the world but I can do what I can.”
