Living Car Free - A Boy and a Bicycle(s)

Neat Nicholas Kristof article on a boy from Zimbabwe who wanted to own a bicycle.

A little perspective for some of us who have a garage full of these things.



Early this year I wrote a column from Zimbabwe that focused on five orphans who moved in together and survive alone in a hut.

The eldest, Abel, a scrawny and malnourished 17-year-old, would rise at 4 o’clock each morning and set off barefoot on a three-hour hike to high school. At nightfall, Abel would return to function as surrogate father: cajoling the younger orphans to finish their homework by firelight, comforting them when sick and spanking them when naughty.

When I asked Abel what he dreamed of, he said “a bicycle” — so that he could cut the six hours he spent walking to and from school and, thus, take better care of the younger orphans. Last week, Abel got his wish. A Chicago-based aid organization, World Bicycle Relief, distributed 200 bicycles to students in Abel’s area who need them to get to school. One went to Abel.


source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/16/opinion/16kristof.html?_r=1&emc=tnt&tntemail1=y

That is neat, and the article points out many of the pitfalls of trying to send aid to Africa (and I am sure it holds true in many other areas of the world). There are quite a few groups and manufacturers that participate in similar programs, Yuba bikes (http://www.yubaride.com/) is one that comes to mind. One that I have donated to in the past is the Zambulance group (http://cadlab6.mit.edu/bike.ambulance/).

Aaron :)

Great article. I am reminded that the bicycle is still an important vehicle in many parts of the world (including my own home town). I read that American private donations to foreign countries is way off because of the recession, so I'll be keeping this progran in mind..

This article really hits home for me right now. My grandson's bike was stolen a couple days ago. Of course grandpa is buying him another one. But I was thinking that if he didn't have a fortunate grandfather, his bike wouldn't be replaced for a long time, since his parents work hard but don't make much money.

There are even people in the US who would see the bicycle as an important vehicle.

At the bike co-op last week, I was working on a Magna (Walmart-type) bike and complaining about the quality. The head mechanic pointed out to me that many homeless or poor people in the vicinity are glad to have these bikes after we have re-furbished them. They are usually either free or about $30 and a ready-to-ride. They go out the door pretty quick and we see a lot of them in action.

One thing I do like about the World Bicycle Relief program is that they also train people to maintain the bike, one mechanic trained for every 50 bicycles.

1 to every 50?? better change that ratio....EVERYONE should know how 2 do basic maintence on there ride

1 to every 50?? better change that ratio....EVERYONE should know how 2 do basic maintence on there ride



But not everyone in that country can afford a set of tools. And some people have zero mechanical ability.

And after seeing some better pictures of the bike, about the only thing that is going to need maintaining is going to be flat tires.

Aaron :)

I'm surprised that no one has focused on the fact that over 70% of the bikes were given to women and girls and the terrible reason why that is so. it seems that some of the girls are housed near their schools, to spare them the long dangerous walk home and reports of sexual abuse/**** by some of the people who board them have been reported. It seems that some of the girls don't report the rapes because it would mean that they stop attending school. No school, no education, no opportunity for a better life. With the bikes, the girls and young women can go straight home after school.

There's definitely some other sexist issues involved like the bikes being possible taken away by fathers/brother or other male members of the family, because they consider the bikes too valuable to be given to females. Yet another way of stopping their education.

Just knowing the above would want me to donate the cost of a bike if it saves at least one girl from enduring repeated **** just to get an education.

Unfortunately, the Bike Program seems to be a pilot one so it remains to be seen whether or not this initiative will survive the stark reality that is Africa. It seems to have a good start though.