Empowerment

Bicycles for Humanity, Melbourne is currently focused on the collection of disused bikes which are then sent to our partner BEN Namibia. We fill a shipping container with around 400-500 bikes and ship it to Africa.

Once received the container becomes a BEC (Bicycles Empowerment Center). The container is placed in a community in need, windows are cut into it and an extra roof put on to protect from the heat and it becomes a pre-fabricated bike work shop providing skills training, employment and business opportunities to the community.

Stocked with 400-500 bicycles, tools, spare parts and accompanied by comprehensive training in bicycle mechanics, it is designed to empower disadvantaged people and their communities with their own transport and their own means of maintaining it.

BEN Namibia are committed to the on going administration and management of these Empowerment Centres ensuring a sustainable and ongoing benefit that they bring.

The BEN Namibia, Okathitu update on a BEC will give you a great idea of how it works and the benefits derived.

Namibia Visit

Bicycles For Humanity, Melbourne’s Andy Gild recently visited Namibia with her family. Below is her account of the trip, the land and the need for sustainable transport solutions

In January 2009 my husband, Shane, and I were very fortunate to have visited Namibia with our 2 children, Ashlea (12) and Dean (10). We were able to see first hand how one of the biggest challenges facing the communities of this country is transport. Namibia is a vast land, with little villages spread out over huge distances.

On the roads are endless people making their way slowly by foot in extreme heat to collect water, get to their farms or get to school. Some trying to hitch a ride and often carrying heavy buckets or baskets. It was the few bicycles we passed that highlighted the desperate need for much more of this basic form of transport.

One of our main intentions was realised when we met a local family from a village called Okathitu who are behind the very first BEC in Namibia. Hilya and her father, father Lazarus, are wonderful, warm and caring people who are very involved in their local community, helping not only those people affected by AIDS, but also in the local orphanage, helping to feed and educate.

They explained how incredibly important the bicycles are to enable their own volunteers to reach into the community and assist with medical aid and even ambulance-type transport. We were told of how a bicycle donated to a young child enabled her to get to school, which in turn led her on a path to live in the capital city, Windhoek, and continue her studies.

This world is far from ours, in miles and development, but it is a wonderful, peaceful country, steadily making gains towards improving the lifestyles of its people. If you are able to help by donating an old bicycle , you will be changing the lives of individuals, families and even communities.

Andy Gild

B4H E-Cards

Buy a gift that gives twice. Ship a bike (or a bike part) to Africa!

Donate to Bicycles for Humanity and download an e-card to send to the recipient of your special gift. Your donation will be used towards sending 400 bikes to BEN Namibia.

Choose your bike part below (from $6.50 to $50.00) and securely donate online. After your donation is processed via paypal, click “return to donations coordinator” to download and send your e-card.

Alternatively, you can also donate to Bicycles for Humanity (Melbourne) by sponsoring some everyday heroes.

Send a Pedal - $6.50	Send a Wheel - $12.50
Send a Bike Frame - $20.00	Send a Whole Bike - $ 50.00

We’ll be collecting bikes in 2012

Bicycles For Humanity Collection On Hold until 2012

If you have a bike for us - just hold on to it until the NewYear!

Our collection partners get very busy this time of year so if you can hold on for another few months we’d really appreciate it.

If you have a bike to give us you can drop it at one of the many locations (see the FAQ section) that act as pick-up points for our three Australian chapters (Melbourne, Sydney and Perth). We’ll be by within a few weeks to pick it up, prep it and pack it for its journey to a new life. Here are a few points to keep in mind and commonly asked questions answered.

What kind of Bikes can you take?

We can put almost any bike to good use - however we can only send mountain bikes and sturdy hybrids to Africa and other destinations. Bikes that aren’t suitable for shipping are either distributed to groups such as refugee families in Australia or passed on to help fund shipping and other costs.

What condition does the bikes need to be in?

The bike needs to be in  working or easily fixable condition. Generally rust is the biggest problem. Small issues like brake and gear cables or flat tyres are no problem.

Do you take bike parts?

Yes - bike parts are extremely helpful.

Can you pick up my bike?

Unfortunately as a completely volunteer run organisation we don’t have the resources to pick up individual bikes. If you have more than 15 then let us know and we may be able to drop by when doing the Bicycle Super Store run.

In Melbourne and Victoria

Drop your bike to any Any Bicycle Super Store.

Find your nearest store here - http://www.bicyclesuperstore.com.au/store-location/

In Perth

Drop your bike to any  of The Bicycle Entrepreneur Stores.

Find your nearest store here - http://www.tbe.com.au/contact

In Sydney

Sydney is finalising their collection site and so is not currently taking bikes. Stay tuned

In Canberra

Bikes for Humanity, Sydney have a collection point within the Mt Stromilo Park. However, you’ll need to email us first at info@bikesforhumanity.com.au to arrange to meet up and drop off your bike.

In Southern Highlands, NSW

Click here or on the map below to find the exact location to drop off your bike.

Get your bike along to the Resource Recovery Centre, Berrima Rd on the corner of Bowman Rd, Moss Vale or check the location on the map above.

Vidi runs the NYC marathon

Super Girl Vidi Chandra will be running the New York City Marathon on the 1st of November - and is raising funds for Bicycles For Humanity, Melbourne. She ran the Melbourne marathon last year after only running for 10 months and raised funds for us.

You can support her ( and us) by sponsoring her through everydayhero.com.au

She is even more amazing when you know that she’s a raw food and nutrition expert - find out how you too can be super powered at her site www.the-raw-recipe.com

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