The latest episode of Solutions features Bikes for the World, a Rockville, Maryland based non-profit providing used bicycles to low-income people in developing countries. Executive Director Taylor Jones tells host Cheryl Hawkins that bikes can be life-changing for people in rural areas in terms of accessing education, work opportunities, and health care needs. People can travel “four times the distance” on bike versus on foot in the same amount of time, Jones explains, which makes critical things like going to a far away school more feasible.
Bikes for the World donates about 10-12,000 bikes a year to nine partner organizations, and as of August 2024, has donated 200,000 bikes worldwide. The organization also generates employment in the receiving countries, where there are jobs for local people to refurbish the bikes before distribution. Notably, these efforts are diverting thousands of bicycles annually from the domestic waste stream. To support this impactful work, you can: donate a bike, volunteer at the warehouse, or make a contribution.
Watch to learn more about Bikes for the World and visit bikesfortheworld.org.