Changing Normal

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.