It has been quite a week for Team Africa Rising’s CEO Kimberly Coats around International Women’s Day 2025. She has been named as one of the key women in world cycling in TWO major media reports by Cycling News and Escape Collective. Even more impressive is her lack of ever wanting self publicity. So we know she will be equally embarrassed and humbled by this media attention!

Cycling News

First up: Cycling News‘ “The Changemakers” report, published on 7 March, highlighting ‘the tenacious women changing cycling for the better’. Kimberly was featured alongside some huge industry names like Amina Lanaya (UCI) Marion Rousse (ASO/ Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift) Kate Veronneau (Zwift), Alexa Cunningham (Shimano-Road), Beth Duryea (CANYON//SRAM Racing Generation), Fran Millar (Rapha), Iris Slappendal (The Cyclists’ Alliance).

You can read the report on CyclingNews’ website HERE.

Escape Collective

In addition, to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, the team at Escape Collective asked Rachael Burnside at SHIFT Active Media to collate a report highlighting ‘50 of the most Influential Women in Cycling’ globally, as nominated by a Global Community of Women in Cycling.

We are thrilled that the tireless work of our CEO Kimberly Coats has been recognised in this prestigious list. (We also know she hates the limelight, but that’s precisely why we share these accolades when she wins them!)

The ’50 most Influential Women in Cycling’ list has been voted for entirely by the women of the cycling industry. Some names are easily recognised due to years and even decades of dedicated effort.

However, this list isn’t just about the most decorated riders, the biggest voices, or the best use of LinkedIn. It’s about influence, impact, support, and the communities they are building. It’s about the unsung heroes whose work doesn’t always make the feed or headlines but is crucial to the evolution of cycling.

“Kim has been the driving force behind cycling development in Africa since 2009, with a particular focus on women’s cycling. Her work has grown African women’s cycling by 469%, training not just riders but also mechanics, coaches, and federation staff, while fighting cultural barriers & misogyny.”

To see the whole list, click the link: 50 of the most Influential Women in Cycling

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