World Bicycle Relief - Distance is No Longer a Barrier to Independence and Livlihood

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The 411:  Saving Lives and Time on Two Wheels
Found on: https://worldbicyclerelief.org/en/



A MISSION FOR CHANGE:


World Bicycle Relief is mobilizing people through the Power of Bicycles. We envision a world where distance is no longer a barrier to education, healthcare and economic opportunity. World Bicycle Relief is a registered 501c3.

OUR STORY:

World Bicycle Relief mobilizes people through The Power of Bicycles. We envision a world where distance is no longer a barrier to independence and livelihood.

ESTD 2005
OUR ORIGINS:

World Bicycle Relief (WBR) was founded in 2005 by F.K. Day and Leah Missbach Day in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. As a founder of SRAM and leader in product development, F.K.'s role offered a unique opportunity to problem-solve with other cycling industry leaders. As a documentary photographer, Leah’s gift for sharing stories helped bring the devastation of those affected by the tsunami to light. Together, with a solid backing from SRAM Corporation and an outpouring of support from industry leaders, FK and Leah helped to launch WBR and provide bicycles to those in need. Partnering with aid organizations in Sri Lanka, WBR distributed more than 24,000 bicycles to displaced survivors, providing access to education, healthcare and livelihoods while reconnecting entire communities.

Following the positive impact that bicycles provided as relief in Sri Lanka, we were invited to partner with a large-scale health program in Zambia. The USAID-funded program, RAPIDS, trained and equipped community healthcare workers to help combat the AIDS epidemic. In 2006, we provided more than 23,000 bicycles through this program to support volunteers who would walk long distances to provide home-based care.


WBR has since built programs to provide specially designed, locally assembled bicycles for students, healthcare workers and entrepreneurs across Africa, South America and Southeast Asia. While the bicycles themselves help individuals conquer distance and increase their carrying capacity, WBR has also created new economic opportunities by training field mechanics and employing bike assemblers to support our local programs.



WHEELS IN THE FIELD

MULTIPLYING OUR IMPACT:


Our innovative model, combining philanthropic distributions with social enterprise sales, is the backbone on which we deliver greater efficiencies of scale, distribute more bicycles per donation and generate deeper impact where we work.

With a 10-year track record, WBR is a proven leader in implementing large-scale philanthropic bicycle programs in the rural developing world. From partners to end users, we remain connected and committed to providing reliable, affordable transportation for everyone.

In rural developing countries where low-quality bikes are the norm, Buffalo Bicycles have earned a superior reputation. Following healthcare program distributions in 2007, development organizations, farmers and individuals sought to purchase our bicycles for their programs and personal use. This market demand moved us to create Buffalo Bicycles, Ltd., a social enterprise subsidiary of WBR that sells directly to those in need of reliable transportation.


There is a multitude of benefits in combining our philanthropic endeavors with an innovative social enterprise strategy: it is scalable and multiplies our organizational impact; it diversifies our revenue stream and provides funding for programs; it improves the efficiencies and cost structure of our education, healthcare, and economic development initiatives; and it creates a sustainable quality bicycle infrastructure in developing countries.



STRONG AS A BUFFALO:


Buffalo Bicycles are durable, featuring steel alloy frames, forks and spokes and a rear carrier capacity rated to 100kg. Weighing in at 5kg (a complete bike is 24kg), the heft of the steel frame is not a hindrance but evidence of the bicycle’s strength. WBR is committed to using high-quality, well-designed parts. This improves the bicycle’s functionality, reliability and strength, and keeps more Buffalo Bicycles on the road.

GOOD FOR THE LONG HAUL:


The Buffalo Bicycle is engineered for more tasks, serving as a powerful economic engine in rural communities.The specially designed frame, carrier and stand of the Buffalo Bicycle provide the stability needed to support big loads and passengers over long distances in remote areas. The short dipping top tube offers a preferred upright riding position for both men and women and allows easier mounting, especially when under load. The carrier’s rigidity coupled with the frame make load carrying much more stable. The center stand simplifies loading for heavy or bulky cargo.

SIMPLE TO MAINTAIN:


The Buffalo Bicycle is deliberately compatible with locally available spare parts, requiring only basic tools for maintenance and repair. WBR operates a Field Mechanic Training Program to help keep the bicycles rolling, using a universal training manual that instructs with pictures and diagrams rather than words. To date, over 1,000 field mechanics have been trained, offering riders access to local maintenance.

INVESTING IN QUALITY:


While affordable, Buffalo Bicycles and spare parts can be twice as expensive as the lowest cost competition. However, social enterprise sales and customer feedback indicate the quality of the Buffalo Bicycle generates a strong return on investment. Field observations from our philanthropic programs show that recipients can avoid the majority of repair expenses with simple maintenance and better riding behavior. To help the machines last longer, we are increasing training, education and incentives for bicycle recipients.

BRIDGING THE GAP:


The Buffalo Bicycle is a sharp departure in a global supply chain oriented towards lightweight, complex, recreational bikes sold to middle- and upper-income users. Our collaboration with industry leaders reflects a shared commitment to create a stronger, simpler, more affordable bicycle that will meet the needs of individuals in rural regions of developing countries. When we ask for a bike that is stronger, simpler and affordable, our suppliers support us with real commitment. Every component we develop has to balance performance, cost and the time it takes to bring it to market. A good bike assembled poorly will be a poor-quality bike. Maintaining our own assembly plants across Africa gives us control over this vital process and enables us to deliver a high-quality, ready-to-ride bike to our end users.