LEAD SPONSORS

Our Work

People in underdeveloped regions of the world are suffering every day due to lack of access to health care, education and economic development opportunities. Bicycles are simple, sustainable and appropriate technology to support people in developing nations and disaster recovery.

The mission of World Bicycle Relief is to provide access to independence and livelihood through The Power of Bicycles.

Founded by SRAM Corporation and Trek Bicycles in 2005 and supported by many individuals, foundations and corporations, World Bicycle Relief specializes in large-scale, comprehensive bicycle programs by providing supply chain management, technical knowledge and logistics expertise to poverty relief and disaster assistance initiatives.

Compared to walking, bicycles represent an enormous leap in productivity and access to healthcare, education and economic development opportunities. The simple, sustainable nature of bicycles empowers individuals, their families and their communities.

Here are examples of what a bicycle can do to leverage human ability:

• Bicycles increase carrying capacity, five times as much as compared to walking;
• Bicycles increase the distance a person can travel by four times compared to walking;
• Bicycles save time, approximately three hours for every ten miles traveled compared to walking

We accomplish our mission by:

• Working with suppliers to improve bicycle design while ensuring all changes are culturally appropriate
• Enhancing distribution with local sourcing, manufacturing or assembly as much as possible
• Partnering with existing NGO, government and community-based organizations
• Training field mechanics in maintenance and repair while strengthening the existing supply of spare parts
• Measuring and evaluating the impact of bicycles and communicating the results to improve programs and increase awareness

About the Bicycles – an evolution of bicycles available in Africa
Due to the disconnection between suppliers and end-users, most bicycles available in Africa are not robust, and they fall apart almost immediately after purchase. This has dire consequences for those who do not have access to other means of transportation. World Bicycle Relief works to reconnect the voice of the end user with the supplier base, and transfers technologies, processes and accountability to ensure end-users' needs are met.

Maintenance Training Program
To ensure ongoing maintenance of bicycles, we implemented a maintenance training program. One Chief Mechanic was trained by volunteers from SRAM Corporation. The Chief Mechanic trained 12 Master Mechanics who in turn training regional bicycle mechanics are chosen by community leaders. Each Chief Mechanic conducted trainings of groups of 20 - trainings consist of a 5-day program that encompasses bicycle maintenance, business principles and life skills. As a result, 450 mechanics will be trained and equipped to maintain bicycles in their communities. We are facilitating small business loans for some of the mechanics trained through our last program to help them establish their business with an investment in a supply of spare parts. We anticipate being able to contribute this aspect of the training through this bicycle distribution as well.

World Bicycle Relief has provided more than 50,000 bicycles to individuals through the following initiatives:

Project Tsunami - In the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, we worked with World Vision to provide 24,400 bicycles to people in Sri Lanka. As part of its commitment, World Bicycle Relief retained an independent organization to measure the impact of Project Tsunami, and the results were outstanding.

Project Zambia - In 2006, we began work with a USAID-funded consortium led by World Vision International called RAPIDS: Reaching HIV/AIDS Affected People with Integrated Development and Support. This program provided 23,000 bicycles to volunteer health care workers and disease prevention educators caring for people living with and affected by HIV/ AIDS and heads of households of orphans and vulnerable children. In addition, we trained 450 mechanics to ensure a system of maintenance was in place.

In June of 2008, we engaged Boston University School of Public Health to measure and evaluate our program. Once that report is complete (August 2009) we plan to publish the results.

In support of the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative (CHAI) we provided 300 bicycles to help specific HIV/AIDS initiatives in Africa in six countries. We provided bicycles to health care workers addressing medical needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, mentors working with orphans and vulnerable children, and educators teaching disease prevention. In all cases, the efforts of the bicycle recipients will be multiplied by increased mobility.

Bicycles for Educational Empowerment – In Fall 2008, we started an innovative program that will provide approximately 50,000 bicycles to increase access to school for children in rural Zambia who are especially at risk for extreme poverty and high HIV/ AIDS infection rates. Safe, reliable transportation to school will enable them to have better health and economic outcomes as a result of completing their secondary education. Each student, teacher or community leader will sign a contract and their use will be monitored.

Microfinance – In 2007, World Bicycle Relief initiated a microfinance pilot program to provide working capital and loans for bicycles to selected small and vulnerable entrepreneurs, households and communities in Zambia thereby strengthening their capacity to respond to the economic, social and health impact of HIV/AIDS. Our long term goal is to replicate this program in other countries in Africa, and plans are being initiated for a program in Kenya.

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.

For questions, comments, or ideas please visit our FAQ page or contact us.

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