World Bicycle Relief is transforming the lives of individuals and communities through The Power of Bicycles.

With over 115,000 bicycles in the field and more than 800 field mechanics trained, 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 recovery initiatives. World Bicycle Relief is dedicated to providing access to independence and livelihood through the power of bicycles. 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.

People in developing nations suffer every day due to lack of transportation. Without access to education and economic opportunity, people live in poverty; without access to healthcare, people die of treatable diseases and minor injuries. Bicycles are simple, sustainable and appropriate technology to bridge the transportation gap between needs and resources. At the core of World Bicycle Relief’s mission is the belief in empowering individuals: if you provide those in need with the right tools, they will succeed.

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 one can travel by four times compared to walking;
•Bicycles saves time, approximately three hours for every ten miles traveled compared to walking;
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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 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