Ballito entrepreneur Ian Wilson has found deep fulfillment in establishing Impact Cycle, an NPO that teaches kids to ride bikes, motivating them to attend school and develop resilience. A veteran in the mountain biking world, Ian has spent over two decades developing the sport. From building South Africa’s first mountain bike trail at Giba Gorge to hosting Wild Coast tours, his passion is connecting with people and giving back to communities.
Thirteen years ago, he launched Glide & Ride, an extra-mural programme using bicycles to develop children’s mental resilience. While it may seem like simple cycling lessons, Ian emphasises its deeper purpose: “The riding is just a by-product. It’s about connecting with kids and rewiring their brains to believe they can do hard things.”
One of the key elements is how kids are taught to handle setbacks. “When a child falls, we don’t rush over to comfort them. Instead, we celebrate their courage. We say, ‘That was amazing!’ and get them back on the bike,” Ian says. This approach instils resilience, showing kids that failure is just a stepping stone to success.
The start of Impact Cycle
Nine years ago, Ian introduced Glide & Ride into Mshwathi Memorial Primary School, a rural school near Ballito, offering free cycling as a reward for school attendance. The initial turnout was slow, but within weeks, the class was full. Unexpectedly, this initiative had a ground-breaking effect: school absenteeism dropped by 98%. “A lecturer from UCT came in raving, ‘You’ve solved a national problem!’ I had no idea what he was talking about at first,” Ian recalls with a laugh.
Seeing the impact, Ian recently formalised the project into an NPO called Impact Cycle. “Poverty is a mindset, not just financial. If we can teach kids that work equals reward, we can start shifting that mindset from a young age.”
Careers on two wheels
Beyond education, Impact Cycle addresses unemployment by training young adults as coaches. “We now have a self-sustaining model – schools have the bikes, and local coaches earn a living running the sessions,” Ian says. Despite concerns about theft, the donated bikes remain untouched. “The community values what we’re doing. They see someone investing in their children and they protect it.”
Riding towards the future
Ian’s dream is to expand Impact Cycle to 20 000 schools across South Africa. “Imagine the ripple effect – more kids in school, fewer teenagers falling into drugs or early pregnancies, and thousands of jobs created.”The initiative is evolving to include environmental education, food sustainability, and financial literacy. “If we instil these lessons early, we set kids up for real success.”
Despite challenges – self-funding, battling for corporate support, and running multiple businesses – Ian remains unwavering in his mission. “I didn’t set out to do this. I just wanted to give back. But now, I know this is what I’m meant to do.”
Details: www.impactcycle.co.za; 073 153 0986
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
You can help uplift communities by supporting Impact Cycle:
· Make a donation
· Donate a bicycle or safety equipment
· Start a fundraiser
· Refer a school in need
· Refer a potential partner organisation
