Bicycles are changing lives in Africa

“Having traveled to over 50 countries around the world, I’ve seen firsthand the impact a bicycle can have on a farmer, community health worker, teacher and school-aged child. Bicycles give their owners mobility, empowerment, and access. It is not a hyperbole to say that bicycles can change the world. Thousands of children spend hours walking to and from school, determined to get an education and better their lives. Many people are not afforded access to the everyday services that you and I take for granted. ” – Mike Brcic, Bikes Without Borders

According to European Trade Union Confederation, the cycling industry is a transformation to a green, low-carbon economy that has a higher job creation potential then the automative industry. Non profit organisations have distributed over hundreds of thousands of bicycles to students, health care workers and entrepreneurs across Africa. They have also trained thousands of local people as field mechanics to make sure that the bicycle owners have access to maintenance.

Walking through the streets of Kenyan villages and towns, all around us were people riding, repairing and selling bicycles. I love what bicycles bring into the community: jobs, transport, health, low noise and environment pollution. This mode of transport works well here because the whole communities are built on this system. Coming back home to Cape Town, I realised that it was not possible for me to make a complete transition from a car to a bicycle. I settled on cutting down the use of my car where possible and joining other Cape Town people who wanted to know what it feels like to live in a society where cycling is the norm through Moonlight Mass Projects.

We are not a society aware of cyclists and our roads are not built with bicycles in mind. But there are many people in South African rural communities where a bicycle means just the opposite, it means safety. School children and parents can travel quicker and safer from one place to another, people can find jobs easier and in some communities, like right here in Oceanview, children have formed cycling teams for racing, it keeps youth healthy and out of trouble. It is not just the school children that benefit, bicycles make a big difference for the older generation too, it provides mobility to get to work or run businesses. My mother is in her 60s, she lives in our village in Serbia and cycles on daily basis over 10kms to neighbouring villages for groceries and to look after elderly people. She loves her bicycle because she feels independent and healthy. I admire her strength and respect her and others that choose to make the difference.

Our world is changing and many people are making steps towards the beginnings of civilization through nutrition, lifestyle choices and caring for animals and nature around us. Do you notice this change? All the fresh produce markets, the shops selling eco friendly products, yoga centres opening up everywhere, people helping others in need, jobs moving from offices into homes and outdoors, lifestyles turning towards sustainable resources. For some this may feel like it is going back in time but I believe this is a great evolution. If we don’t find a way to live more consciously now, our children and their children will see our generation not as what we think we are “the great innovators” but as the system that failed its own future. Becoming a parent has woken me up even more so towards the importance of each human being on this planet. There is not a person that does not leave an impact on the future, its just a matter of whether our choices will be for instant self gratification or towards a future for our children.

“A man who procrastinates in his choosing will inevitably have his choice made for him by circumstance.” – Hunter S. Thompson, Letters of Note

Check out the links if you are keen on taking a fun bike ride through the city at night, have an old bicycle you would like to donate or wish to join in helping out the community near you. Email me on kristina@loveandrockets.co.za if you like this article and have more inspiring cycling stories to share. Safe travels to you all!

take a fun bicycle experience with Moonlight Mass

Qhubeka changing lives in SA with bicycles

AWOL township tours on bicycle helping with donations to comunity

contact Bikes Without Borders for help in Africa

inspiring story Mandy Rapson, Kommetjie

inspiring story Pollination Project helping Kenya with bicyles

if you want to join bicycle revolution check out Woodstock Cycleworks