Bicycles for Humanity (B4H) will be conducting a bike drive at 5 collection points across Ottawa on Saturday, May 22nd , 2010, between 9am and 12 noon.A bicycle, one of the simplest transport technologies, is affordable and can be maintained anywhere in the world withminimal tools and spare parts. Yet for the world’s poorest people, living on $2 per day, even bicycles are beyond their reach. Meanwhile, in the western world we discard thousands of bicycles each year. Simply put – unused bicycles in garages or basements can make an incredible difference to those in need of transportation – such bicycles represent a terrific opportunity to change the lives of those less fortunate.

In June, a 40 foot shipping container packed with 400 donated bicycles, spare parts and tools will be shipped to Zomba, Malawi to benefit an orphan care organization and area healthcare workers. Through a partnership with Africycle, B4H will contribute to successful programs that help empower and engage people in creating sustainable and responsible economic development in Malawi. By generating revenue to develop the community, Africycle’s “Zomba Shop” is using bicycles to sustain projects that focus on education, health and community. Grace Orphan Care is one such project that supports 200 children daily with programs aimed at meeting the most basic of needs: food, clothing/supplies and education.

B4H has already shipped 4 containers since 2007 to rural communities in Namibia, Africa and established sustainable community-based bike shops called Bicycle Empowerment Centers (BECs) benefiting initiatives focused on orphan care, HIV/AIDS outreach, healthcare and women’s empowerment.

This year, the 5 th container extends the group’s reach toMalawi. B4H is looking for adult-sized mountain and hybrid bikes in working condition (24” and 26” wheels) As the bikes will be used in rural communities with mostly dirt roads and paths, bicycles with wide tires are most suitable for the terrain. Donations of bike tools, repair & patch kits, inner tubes, tires, Canadian Tire money and gently usedbackpacks are also welcome. Donations to help with the transport costs of the bikes are appreciated. Please note that children’s bikes, frames without wheels, and racing bikes with thin tires are not suitable for this project.

Five Ottawa businesses have graciously offered their facilities as drop-off points for greater convenience to donors. “It gives us the opportunity to help out on this very worthwhile effort. It is truly a grassroots voluntary project which is changing the lives of some of the poorest people on this planet.” says John May of Jack May Pontiac Buick GMC.

Once the bike drive is over, Kemptville Truck Centre will contribute their services and equipment to transport the bikes to the B4H warehouse facility generously provided by Carp Self Storage. The bikes will be prepared for transport and loaded into the container at the end of June.

On Saturday, May 22nd, between 9am-12pm, donors are asked to bring their bikes to one of the following locations:

• Kanata: Myers Chevrolet Buick GMC, 200-2500 Palladium Drive.
• Barrhaven:Jack May Chevrolet Buick GMC, 3788 Prince of Wales Drive Nepean
• Myers Cadillac Chevrolet, 1200 baseline RoadOttawa
• Belisle Chevrolet Cadillac, 444 Montreal Road
• Ottawa South: Jim Tubman, 1770 Bank Street

B4H is grateful for the enthusiastic support from the many individuals and organizations who have donated funds,goods, facilities and services and to the volunteers who have given their time and energy towards this initiative.

About Bicycles for Humanity:

Bicycles for Humanity (B4H) is a grass-roots initiative which aims to empower disadvantaged communities in Africa through the provision of sustainable transportation. We send used bikes to improve access to healthcare, education, food, water, and employment. Entirely volunteer run – 100% of all donations go directly toward the transportation costs of the bikes, spare parts and tools.

For more information, visit www.B4HOttawa.org, email [email protected] or call 613-799-7985.  Please contact Seb Oran at [email protected] or 613-799-7985 for all media enquiries.

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