LCI Spotlight: Ashleigh Wilson

The League certifies hundreds of League Cycling Instructors every year and there are thousands of LCIs around the country leading bike education efforts in their communities. In our LCI spotlight series, we are sharing the stories of League Cycling Instructors doing what they do every day: educating, mentoring, empowering. You don’t have to be an extraordinary athlete or overachieving student to be a stellar LCI, all you need is the conviction that life is better for everyone when more people ride bikes. 

Our latest LCI in the spotlight is a shining example of what it means to be a crusader of bike joy! Meet Ashleigh Wilson. Find our earlier LCI Spotlights in our blog archives.

Ashleigh’s certification as a League Cycling Instructor back in December 2020 shortly followed a triumphant return to the saddle, after not having ridden a bike in over 10 years. Now, she volunteers her time helping others find their way to (or back to) bikes by coordinating and leading community rides, youth bike rodeos, adult learn to rides, bike maintenance workshops and safe city cycling skills courses. Read more about Ashleigh below. 

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHY YOU ENJOY TEACHING OTHERS TO BIKE.

I’ve been the Bike Valet Coordinator for Walk Bike Nashville in Nashville, Tennessee, since 2018. I never saw myself stepping into a teaching role, but when opportunity calls – one answers, right? Now I have been asked to join Nashville Bike Fun as an instructor for private lessons.

WHAT FIRST MOTIVATED YOU TO BECOME AN LCI?

I wanted to finally gain confidence to ride a bike in Nashville and I wanted to be more involved with Walk Bike Nashville events/programs. I eventually started taking on responsibilities for the Safe Routes to Schools program at Walk Bike Nashville and facilitated some bike rodeos.

Learn how to become an LCI in the Smart Cycling section of our website.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST REWARD IN TEACHING BIKE EDUCATION?

The smile and physical confidence that shows when a student achieves something they previously told themselves they couldn’t do.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR AN LCI WHO WANTS TO TEACH A CLASS BUT ISN’T SURE HOW TO GET STARTED?

Be confident in yourself and that you know the information. Also, if you don’t feel comfortable talking in front of a group of people yet, offer to help a friend one-on-one.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU THINK THAT ALL LCIS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TEACHING BIKE EDUCATION? 

Make sure you know multiple ways to convey or break down information.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING ON A BIKE? 

Each time I get on my bike is a chance to overcome a fear and to help others conquer theirs.

GIVE US AN INTERESTING OR FUNNY FACT ABOUT YOU.

“I’d rather be walking” has always been my attitude but here I am riding and parking bikes.

Know an LCI who should be featured next? Nominate a stellar bike educator here!