Posted by Colin Lyle, D7040 Passport
(Editor’s note: Colin lives in France. This was his report to the Passport club. The club has committed to one bike and is asking individuals to donate for more.)
 
I attended a meeting of a local club recently where the DG arrived on one of these bikes; last year he and his wife shared one to ride from near Luxembourg to the RI Convention in Hamburg - some 600 km.  World Bicycle Relief works with partners to create long-lasting, sustainable change and break the cycle of poverty in the communities where we work. Our philanthropic programs provide specially designed, locally assembled Buffalo Bicycles for students, health workers and entrepreneurs. Funds from our global supporters enable innovative programming, delivery of our bicycles to those in need, and constant evaluation of our impact in the field.
 
The video clip explains all the benefits of this project operated by World Bicycle Relief  in the poorest parts of the world; the bike only costs $197 CAD, is very rugged to withstand rough roads (and also very heavy!). It is also very simple and easy to maintain - the pedals are fixed and act as brakes, to simplify maintenance and reduce the cost.  My previous district 1700 has set itself the goal of contributing one bicycle per club - there are currently 105 clubs in the District.
 
The DG of 1700 asked me to spread the message.  This looks like something a club could take part in anywhere in the world and easily afford.  As the Poms say, “On Yer Bike”!