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Black Girls Do Bike Sheros become League Cycling Instructors
The League recently hosted a League Cycling Instructor seminar for many of the local champions (known as “Sheros”) of the national cycling club, Black Girls Do Bike. This was the culmination of our partnership with Good Morning America to honor BGDB founder Monica Garrison by fulfilling one of her dreams for the club.
We were thrilled to support BGDB and its many inspiring leaders; so thrilled that we sent our very own Monique Hyatte to the seminar to record the event through her camera lens!
A big thank you to Coach Leta Highsmith for leading the seminar and to Simone for her leadership as the site facilitator. Enjoy the smiles and miles of the seminar through this photo essay!
A proud Shero points to her Black Girls Do Bike (BGDB) jersey. This seminar brought together over a dozen local BGDB leaders from all over the country!
Instructors-in-training got hands-on with identifying bike parts. Here, a Shero from Milwaukee has the bike flipped upside down to get a better look at the chainrings and crankset. Peer-to-peer learning like this was a big part of the experience.
Learning from the best: Coach Leta Highsmith proudly shows off her vintage LCI jersey. Her leadership throughout the weekend inspired confidence and growth in every attendee.
Helping one another is key: From high-fives during bike-handling drills to encouraging words after a tough exercise, these Sheros supported each other every step of the way. Coach Leta guided the group through how to teach essential cycling skills like dodging obstacles, riding in groups, and stopping quickly.
These two photos above capture Sheros practicing hand signals. Mastering these signals and learning to ride steadily while signaling is essential to safe, confident cycling.
“We got this, sisterhood!”: Riding side by side, these Sheros remind us that cycling is more than just pedaling together — it’s a powerful, collective movement for freedom and joy.
Life’s better on a bike: This moment really shows the freedom and excitement that come with cycling. There’s something special about that feeling of being completely in the moment and in tune with your bike — and we can’t help but smile right along with her.
“Yes, she did it!!!!!” The moment of achievement! Sheros clapped and cheered as one of their own received her official League Cycling Instructor certificate. Every smile in this photo says it all. This is what Black Girls Do Bike is all about — celebrating sisterhood, breaking down barriers, and lifting up women of color as leaders in the cycling community.
That post-course celebration energy is real! One Shero throws her hands up in triumph, surrounded by cheers from her classmates. Becoming an LCI is no easy feat, and every woman in this seminar did an amazing job!
Let’s ride! Nothing beats the joy of putting honed skills into motion. These newly certified instructors hit the pavement, practicing everything from lane positioning to group riding etiquette — and having a blast while doing it.
“A bike is not just a machine; it’s an emotion that drives our soul.” This quote says it perfectly. Bikes are more than wheels and gears — they’re vehicles for transforming lives.
The crew: A powerful group of Sheros — now official League Cycling Instructors — gathered with Coach Leta to commemorate the weekend.
Conclusion
This weekend was more than a seminar — it was a celebration of community, sisterhood, and the power of bikes to change lives. In the spirit of Black Girls Do Bike, these Sheros are embracing cycling as a tool for fellowship, fitness, freedom, and fun, while creating a welcoming space for women and girls of color to thrive. Want to support or become a League Cycling Instructor yourself? Learn more and join the movement!
Did you know? In striving to achieve our mission of building a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone, one of our primary objectives is developing and supporting a more diverse community of League Cycling Instructors (LCI). Representation matters and people of every race, gender identity, and background should be able to see themselves in the bicycling community — regardless of one’s financial situation. With the help of Ford Philanthropy, the League offers Equity Scholarships to attend an LCI Seminar. Click here to learn more and apply for the scholarship!