THE POWER OF BICYCLES PROVEN:
ABOUT WORLD BICYCLE RELIEF
OUR MISSION: EMPOWERING PEOPLE
Simple, sustainable transportation is an essential element in disaster assistance and poverty relief. Bicycles fulfill basic needs by providing access to healthcare, education and economic development. Bicycles empower individuals, their families, and their communities.
Our mission is to provide access to independence and livelihood through The Power of Bicycles.
HISTORY
World Bicycle Relief was founded in 2005 by SRAM Corporation and Trek Bicycle in response to the December 2004 tsunami that swept the Indian Ocean. In partnership with World Vision Sri Lanka, this project provided more than 24,000 locally manufactured bicycles to carefully selected men, women and children in greatest need. The $1.5 million Project Tsunami initiative dramatically accelerated their recovery from this brutal disaster, thanks to funding raised through the bicycle industry, foundations and individual contributors.
As part of its commitment, World Bicycle Relief retained an independent organization to measure the impact of Project Tsunami. Two years after the project was complete, the results are outstanding:
- 88% of recipients depend on bicycles for livelihood activities
- Bicycles can save a household up to 30% of its annual income for transportation costs
- The bicycle program provided critical, appropriate transportation enabling households to resume important livelihood, education and service activities
CURRENT PROJECTS
Due to the success of Project Tsunami, World Bicycle Relief partnered with a USAID-funded, World Vision-led coalition of relief organizations to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in Zambia. Project Zambia will provide 23,000 bicycles to community home-based care volunteers, disease prevention educators and vulnerable households. We are also training and equipping more than 400 bicycle mechanics in the field. This $2.9 million program will reach more than 500,000 adults, orphans and vulnerable children.
We have also partnered with established institutions to build and test the microfinancing model utilizing our improved-quality bicycle. The first pilot programs are located in Zambia and Tanzania, with parallel tests in Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Malawi. All programs will include independent measurement and evaluation.
PRINCIPLES
World Bicycle Relief projects are designed around a comprehensive, scalable, sustainable bicycle solution. We accomplish our mission by:
- Partnering with relief organizations to provide quality bicycles to people who need them
- Working with bicycle suppliers to improve quality and technology, and enhance distribution with local sourcing and assembly where possible
- Documenting the impact of bicycles in humanitarian relief situations, communicating results, improving programs and increasing awareness
- Serving as a resource in support of bicycle-related microlending opportunities
- Most importantly, through bicycles, we improve the quality of life for men, women and children in developing nations.
GOVERNANCE
World Bicycle Relief is a public charity operating under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. All contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. World Bicycle Relief is an Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporation, and is compliant with all regulations and recommendations of the Federal and State Government. Audited financial information is available upon request.
Our President, Board of Directors, and Advisors are the following:
President: Frederick K. W. Day (F.K.)
F.K. Day is the President of World Bicycle Relief. He is also a co-founder, Executive Vice President, and on the Board of Directors of SRAM Corporation. F.K. has 20 years of experience in the bicycle industry, and served SRAM as the Vice President of Product Development for six years, developing and implementing strategy, with responsibility for multiple development projects driven through SRAM locations and factories worldwide. In addition to SRAM, F.K. is on the Board of Directors of South Kent School, a mid-sized not-for-profit preparatory boarding school (8th–12th grade) located in Connecticut.
Chairman of the Board: Brian Benzer
Brian has worked in the bicycle industry at SRAM Corporation for 12 years, currently in the role of Director of Corporate Development. In that role, he advises line managers on strategic, legal and tactical matters. He also has full oversight of corporate administration and communication. In addition, he assists the President with identifying, negotiating and integrating acquisitions – including the successful acquisitions of Avid, Truvativ and RockShox.
Brian graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in English Literature in 1988; and from the University of Chicago with a Masters in Business Administration, concentrating in Economics and Strategy, in 2001.
Board Member: Michael Herr
Michael is currently the Chief Financial Officer of SRAM Corporation, one of the world’s largest suppliers of components to the bicycle industry. Established in Chicago in 1987, SRAM currently has operations in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Germany, Ireland, Portugal, The Netherlands, and the United States. A Certified Public Accountant, Mike began his career in public accounting before working at GE Capital. In his role of CFO at SRAM, Mike is responsible for the finance, accounting, tax, and MIS functions of the company.
Board Member: Stanley R. Day, Jr.
Stan is the Founder, President, and Chairman of the Board of SRAM Corporation. SRAM Corporation is a global manufacturer of bicycle components, with 2,500 employees in 13 locations throughout the world. SRAM was founded in 1987 and has grown consistently to become the world’s second-largest bicycle component supplier. Stan has spent significant time living in Asia and traveling around the globe developing the company. He has a BS degree in Business from Tulane University and an MBA from Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
Board Member: Johan Bruyneel
Johan Bruyneel is the most victorious Sports Director in cycling history. Bruyneel is responsible for an unprecedented nine Tour de France victories, first guiding Lance Armstrong to a record seven straight from 1999-2005, followed by Alberto Contador's two in 2007 & 2009. Bruyneel also led Contador to become the fifth cyclist and youngest in history to win all three Grand Tours (Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, Vuelta a Espana). Bruyneel, a former Tour de France stage winner himself, has a talent in developing cyclists into champions and documented his winning philosophies in his first book titled "We Might as Well Win." When he's not leading his new team, Team RadioShack, Bruyneel enjoys speaking to employees of Fortune 500 companies, taking part in activities of World Bicycle Relief and most of all, spending time with his wife (Eva) and two children (Victoria and Christian). Additional information can be found at www.johanbruyneel.com.
Board Member: Robert M. Perkowitz
Bob is Managing Partner of VivaTerra, LLC; Chairman and Founder of ecoAmerica; Chairman of Potenco, Inc.; and President of Paradigm Management, Inc. He also currently sits on the boards of SRAM Corporation and the Environmental Defense Fund. In his 25-year management career Bob has also served as President of Cornerstone Brands, Inc.; President of Smith+Noble LLC; President of Joanna Western Mills, and Chairman and CEO of Home Fashions, Inc. He graduated from Lake Forest College as a College Scholar in Social Thought in 1980 and earned an MBA at Lake Forest Graduate School of Management in 1981. More information is available at www.perkowitz.com.
Important note: Although World Bicycle Relief is supported by leaders in the bicycle industry, to the best of our knowledge, there are no revenues, profits, or monetary benefits received by any of our donors through any of our projects.
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