World Bicycle Relief
Encyclopedia
World Bicycle Relief is an international, non-profit organization based in Chicago, IL that specializes in large-scale, comprehensive bicycle
distribution programs to aid poverty relief and disaster recovery initiatives in developing countries around the world. Their programs focus primarily on education
, economic development
, and health care
. As of September 2010, World Bicycle Relief had distributed more than 70,000 bicycles in the developing world. Within their largest program, the Bicycles For Educational Empowerment program, nearly 70 percent of the student bicycles are designated for girl students.
and Tanzania
) and Sri Lanka
on hundreds of households have shown that a bicycle can increase the income of a poor family by as much as 35%. Transport, if analyzed for the cost-benefit analysis for rural poverty alleviation
, has given one of the best returns in this regard. For example, road investments in India were a staggering 3-10 times more effective than almost all other investments and subsidies in rural economies in the 1990s. What a road does at a macro level to increase transport, the bicycle supports at the micro level. The bicycle, in that sense, can be one of the best means to eradicate poverty in poor nations.
World Bicycle Relief was created in 2005 by SRAM co-founder and Executive Vice President F.K. Day following the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. After facing repeated rejections of bike donations from large relief organizations, Day and his wife, documentary photographer Leah Missbach Day, flew to Sri Lanka
to propose his idea to local relief efforts. He immediately realized the potential value of his bicycle distribution program, and thus created World Bicycle Relief. World Bicycle Relief then partnered with World Vision
and a local manufacturer to produce and distribute bicycles specially designed to fit the needs and terrain of the recipients, a format that they would later use with other projects.
and fender
s. It can carry a cargo of 100 kilograms (220.5 lb). The frame
and fork
are built from over-sized, 16-gauge steel, and the wheels
have 32 and 40 13-gauge spoke
s, front and rear respectively, with 18-gauge steel rims. The bicycles are assembled in three WBR facilities in Africa -- one in Harare, Zimbabwe, one in Lusaka, Zambia, and one in Kisumu, Kenya -- to lower costs, be close to the end-user, and to ensure local parts compatibility.
-led coalition of relief organizations, to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in Zambia
by providing 23,000 bicycles to community home-based care volunteers, disease prevention educators and vulnerable households. The bicycles provided allowed RAPIDS not only to serve greater numbers, it also facilitated a greater level of care given to those who were being served, since workers were able to have more frequent visits and also have more significant impact through.
their interaction with the chronically ill. Among the quantitative outcomes of this program is the finding that since World Bicycle Relief's participation in RAPIDS, caregiver retention has risen to 97%, a marked increase from earlier stages. World Bicycle Relief also trained over 470 mechanics.
A key element of this program is the "culturally appropriate" bicycle, specially designed to meet the needs of the local populations and to withstand the African terrain. The single-speed bike, weighing in at 55 pounds (24.9 kg), is equipped with a heavy-duty rack capable of transporting 220 pounds (99.8 kg), automotive-grade nylon ply tires
, coaster brakes, reinforced spokes, and a frame constructed of higher-gauge steel tubing.
HIV/AIDS Initiative), provided 300 bicycles to people across Rwanda
, Kenya
, Ethiopia
, Mozambique
, Tanzania
, and Lesotho
to help specific HIV/AIDS initiatives in Africa. The bicycles were provided to healthcare workers addressing the medical needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, mentors working with orphans and vulnerable children, and educators teaching disease prevention.
, Trek Bicycle
and local government, World Bicycle Relief provided 24,3676 bicycles in Sri Lanka
to men, women and children in greatest need following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The selection process included basic economic and commercial needs, distance to work, and distance to schools. An independent report found that nearly 90% of the bike recipients used their bicycles to earn a livelihood.
World Bicycle Relief has also provided bicycles to relief organizations working in Kenya to combat the 2011 famine in the Horn of Africa.
One example of their microfinance work can be seen at the Magoye Milk Co-operative, a small organization of Zambian dairy farmers established by Land O'Lakes, Inc.
Here, 299 farmers use Buffalo Bicycles purchased from World Bicycle Relief to transport their dairy to the central depot, where the milk is collected and transported to a dairy processing factory. The acquisition of these bicycles has allowed the farmers to increase their carrying potential while reducing the time (crucial when transporting milk) and money farmers need to spend on delivering their product each day.
Many non-governmental organizations and other aid organizations addressing various issues have relied on World Bicycle Relief's expertise in bicycle design. As a result, many organizations have bought WBR bicycles to meet their specific goals. These organizations include UNICEF (Zimbabwe), CARE (Kenya), World Vision (Mozambique), Catholic Relief Services (Zambia), Wellshare International (Uganda), and the World Food Programme (Southern Sudan). By partnering with these groups, World Bicycle Relief has become a more sustainable organization.
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
distribution programs to aid poverty relief and disaster recovery initiatives in developing countries around the world. Their programs focus primarily on education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
, economic development
Economic development
Economic development generally refers to the sustained, concerted actions of policymakers and communities that promote the standard of living and economic health of a specific area...
, and health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
. As of September 2010, World Bicycle Relief had distributed more than 70,000 bicycles in the developing world. Within their largest program, the Bicycles For Educational Empowerment program, nearly 70 percent of the student bicycles are designated for girl students.
Background
Experiments done in Africa (UgandaUganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
and Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
) and Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
on hundreds of households have shown that a bicycle can increase the income of a poor family by as much as 35%. Transport, if analyzed for the cost-benefit analysis for rural poverty alleviation
Poverty reduction
Poverty is the state of human beings who are poor. That is, they have little or no material means of surviving—little or no food, shelter, clothes, healthcare, education, and other physical means of living and improving one's life....
, has given one of the best returns in this regard. For example, road investments in India were a staggering 3-10 times more effective than almost all other investments and subsidies in rural economies in the 1990s. What a road does at a macro level to increase transport, the bicycle supports at the micro level. The bicycle, in that sense, can be one of the best means to eradicate poverty in poor nations.
World Bicycle Relief was created in 2005 by SRAM co-founder and Executive Vice President F.K. Day following the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. After facing repeated rejections of bike donations from large relief organizations, Day and his wife, documentary photographer Leah Missbach Day, flew to Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
to propose his idea to local relief efforts. He immediately realized the potential value of his bicycle distribution program, and thus created World Bicycle Relief. World Bicycle Relief then partnered with World Vision
World Vision
World Vision, founded in the USA in 1950, is an evangelical relief and development organization whose stated goal is "to follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of...
and a local manufacturer to produce and distribute bicycles specially designed to fit the needs and terrain of the recipients, a format that they would later use with other projects.
Environment appropriate bicycles
World Bicycle Relief designs bicycles specific to the environment in which they will be distributed. The 2011 WBR bicycle is branded as the Buffalo Bicycle given its strength and durability. The WBR Buffalo has a coaster brake for safety and durability, and weighs 50 pounds (22.7 kg), including a rear rackLuggage carrier
A luggage carrier, also commonly called a rack, is a device attached to a bicycle to which cargo or panniers can be attached. This is popular with utility bicycles and touring bicycles....
and fender
Fender
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, commonly referred to as simply Fender, of Scottsdale, Arizona is a manufacturer of stringed instruments and amplifiers, such as solid-body electric guitars, including the Stratocaster and the Telecaster...
s. It can carry a cargo of 100 kilograms (220.5 lb). The frame
Bicycle frame
A bicycle frame is the main component of a bicycle, on to which wheels and other components are fitted. The modern and most common frame design for an upright bicycle is based on the safety bicycle, and consists of two triangles, a main triangle and a paired rear triangle...
and fork
Bicycle fork
A bicycle fork is the portion of a bicycle that holds the front wheel and allows the rider to steer and balance the bicycle. A fork consists of two fork ends which hold the front wheel axle, two blades which join at a fork crown, and a steerer or steering tube to which the handlebars attach ...
are built from over-sized, 16-gauge steel, and the wheels
Bicycle wheel
A bicycle wheel is a wheel, most commonly a wire wheel, designed for bicycle. A pair is often called a wheelset, especially in the context of ready built "off the shelf" performance-oriented wheels....
have 32 and 40 13-gauge spoke
Spoke
A spoke is one of some number of rods radiating from the center of a wheel , connecting the hub with the round traction surface....
s, front and rear respectively, with 18-gauge steel rims. The bicycles are assembled in three WBR facilities in Africa -- one in Harare, Zimbabwe, one in Lusaka, Zambia, and one in Kisumu, Kenya -- to lower costs, be close to the end-user, and to ensure local parts compatibility.
Mechanic training
To ensure ongoing maintenance of bicycles, World Bicycle Relief implemented a maintenance training program. WBR conducts trainings in groups of 5 - 20 - trainings consisting of a curriculum that encompasses bicycle maintenance, business principles and life skills. Additionally, mechanics are supplied with high quality bicycle tools and uniforms. Through August 2011, more than 700 mechanics have been trained and equipped to maintain bicycles in their communities in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Uganda. Additionally, World Bicycle Relief is working with interested mechanics to establish their business with a supply of spare parts to help increase the parts supply in rural sub-Saharan Africa.Bicycle For Educational Empowerment Program (BEEP)
Launched in June of 2009, the Bicycles for Educational Empowerment Program (BEEP) is an educational initiative in partnership with the Zambian Ministry of Education, community-based organizations and several international NGOs. Its goal is to provide 50,000 bicycles to school children and teachers in rural districts in Zambia in order to improve access to education by cutting down travel time. 70% of these bicycles are allocated to students, while 30% are for teachers, community leaders, and bicycle mechanics. 70% of student bicycles are allocated to girl students in recognition of their unique challenges in accessing education, such as having household chores, issues of safety, and prospects of early marriages. Early reports on the program show an increase in the percentage of children who complete their schooling to 88% in BEEP schools compared to the national average of 60%. Every recipient receives basic training about bicycle maintenance and safety, and signs a contract of commitment when receiving his or her bike.Project Zambia
From 2006-2009, World Bicycle Relief partnered with RAPIDS (Reaching HIV/AIDS Affected People with Integrated Development and Support), a USAID-funded, World VisionWorld Vision
World Vision, founded in the USA in 1950, is an evangelical relief and development organization whose stated goal is "to follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of...
-led coalition of relief organizations, to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in Zambia
Zambia
Zambia , officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. The neighbouring countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south, and Angola to the west....
by providing 23,000 bicycles to community home-based care volunteers, disease prevention educators and vulnerable households. The bicycles provided allowed RAPIDS not only to serve greater numbers, it also facilitated a greater level of care given to those who were being served, since workers were able to have more frequent visits and also have more significant impact through.
their interaction with the chronically ill. Among the quantitative outcomes of this program is the finding that since World Bicycle Relief's participation in RAPIDS, caregiver retention has risen to 97%, a marked increase from earlier stages. World Bicycle Relief also trained over 470 mechanics.
A key element of this program is the "culturally appropriate" bicycle, specially designed to meet the needs of the local populations and to withstand the African terrain. The single-speed bike, weighing in at 55 pounds (24.9 kg), is equipped with a heavy-duty rack capable of transporting 220 pounds (99.8 kg), automotive-grade nylon ply tires
Bicycle tire
A bicycle tire is a tire that fits on the wheel of a bicycle, unicycle, tricycle, quadracycle, bicycle trailer, or trailer bike. They may also be used on wheelchairs and handcycles, especially for racing...
, coaster brakes, reinforced spokes, and a frame constructed of higher-gauge steel tubing.
Project CHAI
World Bicycle Relief, in support of CHAI (Clinton FoundationClinton Foundation
The William J. Clinton Foundation is a foundation established by former President of the United States Bill Clinton with the stated mission to "strengthen the capacity of people throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence." The Foundation focuses on four critical areas:...
HIV/AIDS Initiative), provided 300 bicycles to people across Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
, Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
, Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
, and Lesotho
Lesotho
Lesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
to help specific HIV/AIDS initiatives in Africa. The bicycles were provided to healthcare workers addressing the medical needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, mentors working with orphans and vulnerable children, and educators teaching disease prevention.
Disaster Relief
In partnership with World VisionWorld Vision
World Vision, founded in the USA in 1950, is an evangelical relief and development organization whose stated goal is "to follow our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in working with the poor and oppressed to promote human transformation, seek justice and bear witness to the good news of the Kingdom of...
, Trek Bicycle
Trek Bicycle Corporation
Trek Bicycle Corporation is a major bicycle and cycling product manufacturer and distributor under brand names Trek, Gary Fisher, Bontrager, Klein and until recently, LeMond Racing Cycles...
and local government, World Bicycle Relief provided 24,3676 bicycles in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
to men, women and children in greatest need following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The selection process included basic economic and commercial needs, distance to work, and distance to schools. An independent report found that nearly 90% of the bike recipients used their bicycles to earn a livelihood.
World Bicycle Relief has also provided bicycles to relief organizations working in Kenya to combat the 2011 famine in the Horn of Africa.
Microfinance and Social Enterprise Initiatives
World Bicycle Relief has also partnered with a variety of microfinance institutions to allow the sale of the WBR bike (The commercial version of their specially-designed bike is called the "Buffalo Bike".) to individuals who cannot afford to purchase the bicycle in a one-time transaction.One example of their microfinance work can be seen at the Magoye Milk Co-operative, a small organization of Zambian dairy farmers established by Land O'Lakes, Inc.
Land O'Lakes
Land O'Lakes is a member-owned agricultural cooperative based in Arden Hills, Minnesota, focusing on the dairy industry. The co-op states that it has about 3200 producer-members, 1000 member-cooperatives, and about 9000 employees who process and distribute products for about 300,000 agricultural...
Here, 299 farmers use Buffalo Bicycles purchased from World Bicycle Relief to transport their dairy to the central depot, where the milk is collected and transported to a dairy processing factory. The acquisition of these bicycles has allowed the farmers to increase their carrying potential while reducing the time (crucial when transporting milk) and money farmers need to spend on delivering their product each day.
Many non-governmental organizations and other aid organizations addressing various issues have relied on World Bicycle Relief's expertise in bicycle design. As a result, many organizations have bought WBR bicycles to meet their specific goals. These organizations include UNICEF (Zimbabwe), CARE (Kenya), World Vision (Mozambique), Catholic Relief Services (Zambia), Wellshare International (Uganda), and the World Food Programme (Southern Sudan). By partnering with these groups, World Bicycle Relief has become a more sustainable organization.
See also
- Bamboo Bike ProjectBamboo Bike ProjectThe Bamboo Bike Project was started by two scientists at Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory , David Ho and John Mutter, with funding from The Earth Institute at Columbia University...
- Bikes Not BombsBikes Not BombsBikes Not Bombs is a Boston, Massachusetts based bicycle project which recycles donated bicycles, trains young people to fix their own bikes and become employable mechanics and sends thousands of refurbished bikes to communities in countries such as South Africa, Ghana, and Guatemala...
- Pedaling to FreedomPedaling to Freedom-Pedaling to Freedom:Pedaling to Freedom is a documetary film scripted, edited and directed by Vijay S. Jodha -Synopsis:India boasts of many globally reputed institutions of higher education, yet suffers from widespread illiteracy especially among the female population.Pedaling to Freedom is a...
- With My Own Two WheelsWith My Own Two WheelsWith My Own Two Wheels is a 2010 film by brothers Jacob & Isaac Seigel-Boettner about the transformational power of bicycles. It was screened at the Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, Colorado.-Synopsis:...