World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief
Founded	2005; 19 years ago
Founders	F.K. Day, Leah Missbach Day
Type	Non-profit organization
Focus	Bicycle poverty reduction
Location	1000 W Fulton Market, 4th Floor Chicago, IL 60607;
Area served	Angola, Botswana, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Website	www.worldbicyclerelief.org

World Bicycle Relief is an international nonprofit organization that mobilizes communities in rural and underserved regions through the power of bicycles. Founded in 2005, the organization designs, manufactures, and distributes purpose-built bicycles to help individuals and communities gain access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.

Since its inception in 2005, World Bicycle Relief has distributed over 811,000 bicycles across 21 countries in Africa, South America, and Asia. The organization has also trained over 3,500 local bicycle mechanics to ensure long-term sustainability and create employment opportunities.

The organization’s mission is to provide reliable, affordable, and purpose-designed bicycles, as well as mechanics and spare parts, to foster independence and sustainable development in underserved areas. World Bicycle Relief envisions a world where bicycles improve healthcare and education outcomes while expanding economic opportunities, enabling individuals and communities to thrive.

Impact Data and Statistics (as of May 2024):

Total Bicycles Distributed: 811,188
Program Bicycles Distributed: 330,603
Retail Bicycles Sold: 481,000
Mechanics Trained: 3,501

Operating in 21 countries, World Bicycle Relief addresses the transportation challenges faced by millions of people lacking access to reliable and affordable transportation. Through its programs, the organization works to create lasting impact by building local capacity and providing life-changing bicycles to empower people in need.

Background

World Bicycle Relief was founded in 2005 by F.K. Day and Leah Missbach Day in response to the Indian Ocean tsunami. As a co-founder of SRAM Corp. and a leader in product development, F.K. Day had the opportunity to collaborate with cycling industry leaders to find solutions to the crisis. Leah Missbach Day, a documentary photographer, used her skills to highlight the devastation caused by the tsunami, bringing attention to the needs of the affected communities. Together, with support from SRAM and other industry leaders, F.K. and Leah launched World Bicycle Relief to provide bicycles for those in need.

In partnership with aid organizations in Sri Lanka, World Bicycle Relief distributed more than 24,000 bicycles to displaced survivors, helping to restore access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, and reconnecting entire communities.

Today, World Bicycle Relief continues to grow, with a goal of providing 1 million Buffalo Bicycles worldwide, impacting communities by improving transportation, education, and economic development.

World Bicycle Relief has fundraising entities in the United States, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Australia.

Key features

Specially-designed bicycles

Developed by World Bicycle Relief, the Buffalo Bicycle isn’t your typical bike. Originally designed to meet the needs of people traveling long distances over rugged terrain, the Buffalo Bicycle has been a cornerstone of the organization’s work. In 2024, a revised version of the bike was announced, incorporating user feedback and technological improvements to better serve communities in some of the world’s harshest environments. This durable bike is the result of a unique collaboration between World Bicycle Relief and industry leaders such as SRAM, Trek, Giant Group, and Karasawa. These organizations contributed product design expertise and testing capabilities to create a stronger, simpler, and more sustainable bicycle that addresses the critical mobility needs of communities where transportation is a significant barrier to accessing essential services.

Sustainable and Durable Design

Guided by sustainable design principles, the Buffalo Utility S2 ensures long-term usability with minimal environmental impact. Key system improvements in the multi-speed drivetrain include:

2-Speed, 2-Chain Drivetrain: This drivetrain consists of a switchable freewheel with two cogs, each paired with its own single-speed chainring and chain. Riders can easily switch between high gear for speed and low gear for climbing by back-pedaling half a turn, then pedaling forward.
Dual-Pivot Caliper Brakes: Corrosion-resistant and easy to install and adjust, these brakes offer superior control, especially when carrying heavy loads.
Heavy-Duty Aluminum Rims: The "deep-box section" aluminum rims provide strength with a lighter weight. Updated 3x wheel lacing ensures consistent spoke tension, reducing the likelihood of breakages.

Award-Winning Recognition

The Buffalo Bicycle Utility S2 has been honored with a Eurobike Award in the "Bicycles" category, celebrating excellence in design and innovation within the cycling industry. This accolade underscores the significant impact and groundbreaking nature of the Utility S2.

Proven Impact Through Extensive Field Testing

The Buffalo Utility S2 has undergone over two years of rigorous testing across the diverse landscapes of Sub-Saharan Africa and South America. Direct feedback from end users has been instrumental in refining the bicycle’s design to meet the real-world needs of riders, ensuring it is highly functional and durable in challenging environments.

Tested and assembled in program countries, the Buffalo Bicycle is compatible with local spare parts and provides an affordable, reliable transport solution that improves access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

Buffalo Bicycles Ltd., the for-profit subsidiary of World Bicycle Relief, operates more than 50 local shops across Colombia, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. These shops sell bicycles and spare parts, fostering local economies and ensuring long-term sustainability.

Mechanic training

World Bicycle Relief ensures the sustainability and success of its programs by training local mechanics to maintain and repair Buffalo Bicycles. For every 50 to 100 bicycles distributed through its philanthropic programs, one mechanic is trained within the community. This approach ensures that bicycle owners have access to qualified, local maintenance services. In addition to technical training, these mechanics also receive education in business, marketing, and management, empowering them to earn a livelihood while supporting their communities.

Projects

Mobilized Communities

The Mobilized Communities model, developed by World Bicycle Relief, promotes sustainable bicycle use through community-led, multi-sector programming that enhances rural access to healthcare, education, conservation, and economic development. In collaboration with governments, businesses, and NGOs, the model delivers bicycles, training, and programming to targeted regions. These efforts include training local mechanics and establishing connections with Buffalo Bicycles Ltd., a social enterprise that sells bicycles and spare parts to ensure expanded access within the community.

Following a needs assessment, local committees—known as Bicycle Supervisory Committees—are formed to manage and shape the programs to meet the specific needs of the community. These committees also oversee the work of local bicycle mechanics and provide support to program participants. A particular focus is placed on empowering women and girls, recognizing their crucial role in the overall wellbeing of the community.

The Mobilized Communities model is centered on local involvement, with community members determining who would benefit most from receiving a bicycle. This approach has mobilized thousands of individuals from diverse sectors, backgrounds, and age groups, helping them access essential services and economic opportunities, creating long-lasting change for themselves and their communities.

Social enterprise

World Bicycle Relief operates using a social enterprise model, in which the nonprofit organization wholly owns a for-profit subsidiary, Buffalo Bicycles Ltd. This for-profit arm sells Buffalo Bicycles directly to consumers and institutions in Africa and Colombia. Profits from Buffalo Bicycles Ltd. contribute to increasing economies of scale for World Bicycle Relief, thereby enhancing the impact of its philanthropic efforts. This hybrid model enables World Bicycle Relief to address transportation challenges on a larger scale in the regions where it operates.

References

External links

Official website
Building the Buffalo (Video)