Cycling event in Haiti’s Léogâne draws thousands, raises funds for critical community project

LÉOGÂNE, Haiti — Thousands of riders filled the streets of Léogâne in early April, turning an annual cycling event into a show of community strength and a push to fund a long-delayed infrastructure project.

The eighth edition of “Yogann Ap Pedale” (YAP), held April 5, drew an estimated 15,000 participants, who cycled nearly 10 miles through the city. Beyond the spectacle, organizers say the ride has become a critical tool to raise money for a culvert in Baussan, where flooding regularly cuts off access and disrupts daily life.

Dressed in white event jerseys, riders of all ages filled the streets in a rare moment of collective leisure and unity. More than a recreational gathering, the annual ride reflects how communities are creating their own solutions in a country facing deep economic and security challenges. Thus, this year’s theme was “Ak vijilans n ap pedale,” meaning “With caution we cycle” in English.

From pastime to community lifeline

Launched in 2017 to revive Léogâne’s fading cycling culture, YAP has evolved into a grassroots fundraising platform. Organizers now use participation fees to fund local infrastructure projects.

This year’s goal: raise funds to build a culvert over the Rouyonne River in Baussan, a dangerous crossing to the city center. Baussan is a locality about five miles from downtown Léogâne.

The project is estimated at 15 million gourdes (about $116,000). So far, organizers say they have raised more than 1 million gourdes (about $7,600), with additional funds expected following this year’s event.

“Community support is key to making this project a reality,” Evens Raymond, YAP’s general coordinator, told The Haitian Times.

“Despite limited funding, we hope to begin construction this year,” he said.

Cycling as leisure — and resistance as organizers build on past projects

Participants gathered at the Chatuley bypass before riding toward Anacaona Square, the event’s finish line. Along the route, music, cheers and street vendors created a festive atmosphere.

Even with heavy rain the day before, turnout remained strong — underscoring the event’s importance as a space for recreation in a country where such opportunities are increasingly rare.

“Since my first participation, I’ve cycled every year,” said Wilderlie Dumorange in her 20s. “It’s how I learned to ride bicycles.”

For many, the ride offered more than exercise — it was a break from daily hardship. 

“This is my sixth time participating. I’ve been looking forward to this day,” said Saintano Exantus, 63.

Others said the event has become a yearly ritual.

The culvert project follows earlier community initiatives funded through YAP, including a 2021 street lighting program that installed solar lamps in several neighborhoods.

Organizers say the initiative has gained support from residents, diaspora members and private partners, helping expand its impact over time.

Voluntary contributions— currently set at 250 gourdes or about $2 for an official jersey to participate in the peloton— are deposited into a dedicated account to fund projects. 

A tradition worth preserving

YAP was founded by Gérald Toussaint, a member of the diaspora community in the United States for more than two decades. A Léogâne native and owner of the radio station ‘Radyo  Nou’ (Our Radio), Toussaint had noticed the decline in bicycle use in the city, which had largely been replaced by motorcycles.

Inspired by similar events abroad, he launched the initiative to revive cycling and promote safer, more sustainable mobility.

“Launching YAP is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” Toussaint said.

According to Toussaint, almost every child owned a bicycle in the 1970s. “It was the best gift a parent could give their child in the city,” he recalls.

“In Léogâne, cycling is deeply ingrained in the local culture. The town has produced numerous renowned cyclists, including Kénel Léveillé— the current president of the Haitian Federation of Cycling.”

The event has grown from about 1,200 participants in its first edition to nearly 20,000 today, despite interruptions in 2020 due to COVID-19 and in 2025 due to insecurity.

Now held annually on Easter Sunday — a time when many diaspora members return for rara festivities— YAP has become a cornerstone of community life in Léogâne.

In a country often defined by crisis, organizers say the event proves that local initiatives can still create joy, preserve culture and drive development.

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