Afribike

Contact: Maikel Lieuw Kie Song
 
Afribike

Afribike is a South African NGO promoting bicycle transport in Africa. Afribike's vision is to make Africa a cycling continent by implementing activities that will make bicycles the preferred mode of transport for local trips. Afribike's activities include:

• increasing the accessibility to low cost appropriate bicycles and repair services;
• the construction of infrastructure safe to cyclists;
• the development of an African bicycle industry;
• manufacturing bicycles designed for local market conditions;
• the promotion of a positive bicycle culture based on the general recognition of the economic, social, environmental and health benefits of bicycle transport.

Afribike has chosen a small business platform as its main vehicle for implementing its activities. Through setting up a small bicycle (work)shop in an area, bicycle transport is promoted while a market driven activity creates an opportunity for a local entrepreneur to manage a small business. The platform can also be used to implement other related activities such as local cycling clubs, races and school programs. All Afribike shops are managed by people from the local area who are trained by Afribike to become bicycle mechanics and shop managers. This is done with close co-operation of local authorities and leaders.

Afribike's innovation lies in two areas: 1- Finding ways to make bicycles more accessible and cheaper, especially for low income communities. This is done through recycling used bicycles and setting up Afribike micro enterprises in these areas. These micro enterprises make bicycles and spares available in areas where there is a large potential for bicycle transport, but with limited spares and repair services available. 2- Afribike's other innovativeness lies in finding new uses for bicycles and in developing new bicycles suited to African needs. As such they are involved in programs where HIV/AIDS educators and health workers are provided with bicycles to do awareness campaigns and distribute condoms to areas which are hard to reach by motorized means of transport. Afribike is also developing specialized tricycles which can be used for transporting small cargo and be used as market stalls in more rural areas.

With 15 shops already operating in South Africa and four more being set up in Zambia, the transferability and replicability of the Afribike concept is becoming more and more proven.