Bike Aid Africa!

What is the project about?

We are collecting old bikes and parts of bikes around NI. We fix these bikes up, send them off to Africa and they get used!

Who will use the bikes?
This depends, but could be aid workers, local school-children, orphanages, etc.

How long will the project run?
Our intention is that the project will run for a number of years and will grow bigger through time as we link up with other aid organisations. It has proved to be a relatively slow process so we need your help!

What have you achieved so far?
In 4 months we have repaired about 50 bikes, sometimes cannibalising bits of several bikes to make up a good one. We have another 30 or so childrens bikes that need very little work so these will be ready to go soon. The first 35 bikes went off in a container through Elim International, Newtownards. According to Pastor Ray Cotter these bikes will be used mainly by aid workers in Malawi.

How can you help?
Donate old bikes or parts of bikes; Give a donation for the purchase of spares such as tubes, cables, chains; or Come and help out in the workshop on Wednesday nights.

Latest News...

Project Update 3rd August 2008-08-04 13:32:00

Wheels in Action Update Time!: more..

Flickr Photostream added! 2008-08-04 14:49:16

For all the pics of the lovely bikes!: more..

Project update 30 October 08 2008-10-30 17:25:00

: more..

Killough Volunteering Day 2009-11-25 21:07:44

Eleven volunteers joined us to work on bikes destined for Africa: more..

Workshop re opens 2009-11-25 21:27:13

We were very lucky to be awarded a grant by 'Awards for All'. This allowed us to rent suitable workshop premises at sub-economic rate in October. : more..

Bikes to Malawi 2010-01-17 15:48:27

We have received some photographs of the bikes we sent to Malawi.: more..

Update on the project - who we are and what we do. 2010-01-17 15:54:00

Bicycles for us are a means of commuting in a greener, environmentally friendly and healthier way. But for people in countries in the developing world a bicycle is a far more valuable if not even vital form of transport. Limited access to transportation, whether it is physical or financial, restricts access to the best possible life. About our project Bike Aid Africa was first set up in 2008 as a voluntary non-profit making organisation based in Belfast. Our organisation is still very young and at humble beginnings. Our project aims to raise awareness of issues faced by people living in developing countries. It is hoped that our project will help to alleviate the inequalities faced by people in Africa. Through providing bicycles to countries in Africa we are hoping to improve access to services and improve transportation and thus strengthen communities from within. We are collecting old bikes and parts throughout Northern Ireland. The bikes are repaired in our Belfast workshop and are checked for roadworthiness. The bikes will be shipped to countries in the developing world and benefit schools, orphanages, aid workers and aid projects in Africa. We have established links with other local charitable organisations, who work in Africa. Those partner organisations ship goods to countries in the developing world and Bike Aid Africa has been able to donate several hundred bikes to those organisations. How do our bikes help Improved access to transportation, especially for the poor, can improve employment prospects, reduce the money and time spent getting to jobs and schools or hauling fuel and water, reduce the costs of inputs for small-scale enterprise activities and increase access to markets for products. In the bigger picture, restricted mobility and transport means a barrier to development. Transportation is an important element of development in African countries at the most basic level. Bicycles are an affordable means of transport, no license or fuel is required thus they are also reliable. For 99% of the population who cannot afford a car, the only alternative is to walk. Bike Aid Africa has shipped bikes to Malawi, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Zambia Our Partner Organisations: • Elim International, Newtownards • The Spirit of Paul McGirr : more..