Bicycle Program
RAPIDS has partnered with World Bicycle Relief (WBR) by providing 23,000 bicycles to RAPIDS volunteer caregivers, peer educators and orphaned or vulnerable children households.
In Zambia, like much of rural Africa, bicycles are a fundamental tool for providing mobility and improving economic development. Bikes can be used to transport goods to and from the market, and ferry the sick to health centers and children to schools. Bicycles provide a powerful incentive for the RAPIDS volunteers and are an essential tool to assist them in their duties; they are able to carry more supplies to client households, visit client households more often and stay longer. With a bicycle, volunteers can dedicate more time to their caregiving while improving their own economic circumstances through increased productivity.
In collaboration with TATA Industries, WBR has designed an improved bicycle specially designed for the rugged conditions that many of our caregivers face. The bicycle features a reinforced carrying rack that can carry over 100 kg; higher gauge steel throughout the frame and rims; and more durable coaster brakes (versus less effective hand brakes).
In Zambia, like much of rural Africa, bicycles are a fundamental tool for providing mobility and improving economic development. Bikes can be used to transport goods to and from the market, and ferry the sick to health centers and children to schools. Bicycles provide a powerful incentive for the RAPIDS volunteers and are an essential tool to assist them in their duties; they are able to carry more supplies to client households, visit client households more often and stay longer. With a bicycle, volunteers can dedicate more time to their caregiving while improving their own economic circumstances through increased productivity.
In collaboration with TATA Industries, WBR has designed an improved bicycle specially designed for the rugged conditions that many of our caregivers face. The bicycle features a reinforced carrying rack that can carry over 100 kg; higher gauge steel throughout the frame and rims; and more durable coaster brakes (versus less effective hand brakes). WBR has also implemented a field mechanic training program where RAPIDS partners identify existing community bicycle mechanics and youth seeking livelihood skills for training in business and technical skills. At the successful completion of the training, field mechanics are provided with a bicycle (that they assembled), tools, work overalls, and a certificate of completion.
The bicycle beneficiaries are required to have their bicycles serviced by WBR certified mechanics on a quarterly basis. Both bicycle beneficiaries and field mechanics are bound by a two-year service-to-own contract whereby volunteers are required to continue in the RAPIDS program and field mechanics are required to provide quality maintenance and repair services to the communities. Contracts are monitored and enforced at the field level by RAPIDS partners and community leaders.
WBR has met its commitment by distributing 23,000 bicycles and trained 400 field mechanics. There will be at least two measurement and evaluation studies to quantify the impact bicycles have on the lives of volunteer caregivers, peer educators, field mechanics and orphaned or vulnerable children households.
WBR has met its commitment by distributing 23,000 bicycles and trained 400 field mechanics. There will be at least two measurement and evaluation studies to quantify the impact bicycles have on the lives of volunteer caregivers, peer educators, field mechanics and orphaned or vulnerable children households.
For more information on the RAPIDS bicycle project, please contact Abson Kafiswe.
