Our Innovative Model
World Bicycle Relief's nonprofit social enterprise model combines philanthropy with market-based solutions to meet the need for reliable transportation in rural regions.

spreading THE POWER OF BICYCLES

To broaden impact and reach more people, World Bicycle Relief collaborates with organizations to co-design, invest and implement mobility solutions that integrate bicycles into what our partners already do, whether in education, healthcare or economic opportunity. Funds from our global supporters catalyze immediate impact and help create more impact together than we ever could alone. 

MARKET DEMAND FOR MORE

When people in the communities we serve saw the strength and durability of our rugged bicycles, the local demand for high-quality transportation grew exponentially. In 2008, World Bicycle Relief formed subsidiary Buffalo Bicycles Ltd., creating an innovative hybrid model in which the nonprofit wholly owns a for-profit that sells bicycles to other nonprofits, businesses, local governments and individuals to meet this increasing market demand.

The Virtuous Cycle
Buffalo Bicycles Ltd. manufactures and sells bicycles, spare parts, and services to individuals, communities, and implementing partners. Profits are reinvested back into World Bicycle Relief, helping to sustain and grow the bicycle ecosystem, deliver greater efficiencies and generate deeper, long-term impact where we work.
See Our Model in Action

OUR bicycle ecosystem

Surrounding our rider is a comprehensive mobility ecosystem, anchored in the very communities in which we work, that keeps bicycles and their riders on the road for the long run. Trained local mechanics provide maintenance and repairs; a reliable and robust supply chain ensures steady access to high-quality spare parts; and Buffalo Bicycle retail shops expand access to bicycles, components and after-sales services for entire communities.

See more about our Sustainable Approach

MEASURING OUR IMPACT

Since our inception, World Bicycle Relief has been committed to monitoring, evaluating and generating learning about the impact of our bicycle mobility solutions. Rigorous data collection and analysis helps us uncover the efficacy of individuals using bicycles to effectively fight poverty, improve academic attendance and performance, and change healthcare outcomes.

The more we learn, the more we can drive sustainable change and break the cycle of poverty in the communities we serve.

Dig into our Impact

FROM OUR COFOUNDER
Hear World Bicycle Relief Cofounder FK Day from the TED stage on how people are changing their world with bicycles.
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WORLD BICYCLE RELIEF IS A REMINDER THAT THERE ARE WAYS TO HELP PEOPLE HELP THEMSELVES, AND THAT PROBLEMS CAN HAVE SOLUTIONS.

Nicholas Kristof
New York Times
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Join The Story
Your support for World Bicycle Relief goes even further thanks to our innovative model. Join the story and give the life-changing Power of Bicycles today.