In the wake of Yves Kabera Iryamukuru’s unfortunate death on Sunday during a Rwanda Cycling cup race from Rubavu to Kigali, Team Rwanda Cycling in collaboration with the Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY) and Rwanda National Police has launched a campaign to promote bike-vehicle safety.

Iryamukuru, who was involved in a collision with a coaster, passed away at CHUK hospital within an hour of the accident and to avoid similar accidents in the future, Team Rwanda Cycling will carry out a drive across several media platforms like radios, televisions and print.

"We hope to develop a public service campaign to educate not only cyclists but drivers on the roads about the importance of bike safety and sharing the road with the cyclists. We would like to use the radio and other media platforms to promote bike-vehicle safety,” said Kimberly Coats, Director of Marketing and Logistics at Team Rwanda Cycling.

In a bid to also educate clubs about the safety of riders during training and competitions, Team Rwanda Cycling will host a club president retreat after the Tour du Rwanda at the Africa Rising Cycling Center in Musanze, home of the national team.

Meanwhile, Iryamukuru will be commemorated and remembered before the start of the prologue stage at the Tour du Rwanda on November 15 in Kigali.

The 22 year old, who was a member of Fly Cycling Club, was laid to rest on Monday in Ruhango.

His club teammates and Team Rwanda cyclists Nathan Byukusenge and Abraham Ruhumuriza as well as former riders Obed Ruvogera (team messieur) and Isa Ntibitura (team mechanic) were among the cycling fraternity that bade him farewell.

"Yves was a very hardworking rider who really loved the sport of cycling. It is very sad that he passed away. He was an upcoming rider who joined us in February and was among the young riders we brought on board and was aiming at joining Team Rwanda. We shall miss him so much,” said Bosco Ntebe, the president of Fly Cycling Club.

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