Pic by Bikes for the World
In 2008, The Bike Virginia Tour held a collection for Bikes for the World at our Charlottesville tent city. The organization needs our help again. Only this time, we are helping the organization look for a new storage facility. Their existing facility can no longer provide storage for the trailers that are used to store the bikes.
Bikes for the World, a project of Washington Area Bicyclist Association, collects bikes for third world regions, creating vital transportation access for poor farmers and families. In 2010 alone the organization collected and shipped 9,009 bicycles with the aid of 80 partnering organizations and events.
If you are in the Virginia, DC, Maryland region you’ve probably seen one of the events. They can produce a lot of bikes, sometimes thousands of bikes that need processing and storage before shipment. Until recently the organization was getting free storage for their trailers, but that space is going away. Low cost or free storage space is critical to the ongoing success of the program.
One bike recipient is shown this, “Kiwanuka Wilson, aged about 78 years, grows bananas and coffee. He belongs to the Nanywenga Farmers Group comprising of 25 farmers. He uses the bike to transport coffee seedlings and bananas to the market,” according to Bikes for the World.
Above, a group of farmers are pictured that share a bicycle that was awarded to a widow with 5 children. The community relies on the bike to reach markets and medical care.
The organization has a busy year ahead. Their collection schedule is packed with opportunities for donation. BFTW also collects bikes any time at specified bike shops in the Virginia, DC, Maryland area. For a list of shops click here…
To read more about the program and to speak to someone about any storage facilities that you may know of, please visit http://bikesfortheworld.org