Bicycles Help Ease the HIV/AIDS Crisis

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Chicago-based World Bicycle Relief recently announced that it has passed the milestone of distributing 15,000 locally assembled bicycles to volunteer health caregivers through its “Project Zambia.” This represents two-thirds of the total 23,000 bicycles planned for the program and brings the total number of bicycles the organization has distributed in poverty relief and disaster assistance situations to almost 50,000. 

The organization, which started by providing bicycles to areas most affected by the 2004 tsunami disaster, believes bicycles can help relieve the HIV/AIDS crisis in Zambia by giving volunteers, community-based HIV/AIDS caregivers, disease prevention educators and vulnerable households a more efficient way to get around.

“A bicycle multiplies a person’s productivity when you compare it to walking,” says Dave Neiswander, head of Africa operations for World Bicycle Relief. “We’ve already seen the enormous impact of the bicycles in the day-to-day lives of the caregivers, and we’re excited to get the next round of bicycles into the field.”

Once the bicycles arrive, they’re well-maintained. In addition to distributing more efficient transportation, the World Bicycle Relief has a goal of training and equipping of more than 400 field mechanics. After completing the training program and providing a one-time tune up for the World Bicycle Relief’s bicycles free of charge, field mechanics can charge market price for their services. At 375 mechanics trained so far, World Bicycle Relief is close to reaching its goal and hopes the program will contribute to the sustainability of the program.

The recipients also have a stake in caring for their new sets of wheels as they are granted a bicycle on a two-year, work-to-own basis. The new bicycles, which cost $109, are funded through contributions from around the world. For more information, visit www.worldbicyclerelief.org.

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