We spent 2025 celebrating two decades of turning possibility into progress.

Since 2005, World Bicycle Relief has distributed more than 930,000 Buffalo Bicycles, mobilizing communities with the freedom, power and joy of two wheels. In 2025, we marked our 20th anniversary with celebrations, reflections, and stories of impact from the people who have changed their lives with Buffalo Bicycles – stories made possible by you, our supporters, partners, and champions.

As we approach 1 million bicycles on the road, we’re also looking forward to our future as we work to scale our impact, ensuring even more people can access the transportation they need to thrive. 

The past 20 years have been full of incredible moments, and 2025 was no different. 

• We expanded to Tanzania, our 7th operating country, with a goal of mobilizing 45,000 people in rural communities over the next three years. 
• The second-year findings of our randomized controlled trial with IDinsight in Zambia  reveal how sustained bicycle use not only creates immediate gains but also strengthens economic returns, resilience and well-being over time. An analysis of this data concludes that bicycles deliver a 14.7-to-1 return on investment. 
• Since 2017, 100,000 bicycles have been distributed across Malawi, thanks to the support of our partners, donors and the communities in which we work!

• The Buffalo Bicycle Utility S2 was the recipient of the German Design Award for excellent product design and Fast Company Innovation by Design Award.
• World Bicycle Relief was chosen by The Times as one of its annual Christmas Appeal nonprofits and will be featuring stories from bicycle recipients and supporters around the world.
• We went viral – again! Seth’s Bike Hacks took our Buffalo Bicycle Utility S2 and its “practical and reliable” patented drivetrain for a spin. To date, his YouTube video has raised more than $61,000.
• Buffalo Bicycles in Uganda took center stage as news outlets around the world picked up the Associated Press’ story about how World Bicycle Relief supports health workers across the country to reach patients.
• The Mobility & Impact Forum in Nairobi, Kenya, brought together thought leaders, researchers, policymakers and program participants to put the spotlight on mobility poverty and bicycles as a sustainable solution.
• The Pedal for Change Forum, held in partnership with Uganda’s Ministry of Health, highlighted the evidence showing that reliable transportation can dramatically improve the reach and impact of Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs).

Our 6th annual Pedal to Empower movement in May and June welcomed more than 36,000 participants from 53 countries around the world and raised $1 million+ to mobilize women and girls with bicycles. We also celebrated World Bicycle Day on June 3 with events in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Kenya and Colombia. 

A special shoutout to friends and ambassadors including Nino Schurter, Alison Tetrick, Roman Grosjean, Martin Söderström and Tiffany Cromwell. And thank you to our campaign partners: Giant Group, Backroads, Sterne Kessler, Johnson&Johnson, Intrepid Foundation, Randstad, Cyclotour du Leman, QuadLock, Hatch, SRAM, JCDecaux Community Channel, Cornerstone Research, Zwift, Benford Capital Partners and Adventure Cycling.

Our partners have powered this movement alongside us for 20 years, helping us generate deeper impact in the areas where we work and support more communities moving forward with life-changing bicycles.

• This year, we are celebrating our Champions of Change, 20 organizations, groups and individuals who have brought vision, generosity, innovation and heart to our shared mission. 
• CAMFED and World Bicycle Relief teamed up in Malawi to train former female mentors to become bicycle mechanics and work in Buffalo Bicycle retail shops across the country for one year. 
• Amref Health Africa received our Trailblazer Award for partnering to strengthen community health systems by equipping frontline health workers and volunteers with purpose-built Buffalo Bicycles.
• SRAM helped celebrate a two-decade partnership and 20 years of impact and mobility as the Presenting Sponsor for our Communities on the Move event in Chicago. 
• Longtime partner UNICEF Colombia launched a campaign to mobilize 500 girls with Buffalo Bicycles in the La Guajira region. 
• A German foundation continued its support of bicycle mobility, playing a major role in our expansion into Tanzania with 10,000 bicycles for healthcare workers.
• In partnership with the Puma Energy Foundation, World Bicycle Relief supplied 391 bicycles to improve healthcare delivery across six districts in rural Zambia.
• Randstad has continued to be an invaluable partner of World Bicycle Relief, enabling us to make great strides and pursue our mission with determination.
• Professional cyclist Lachlan Morton traveled across the country, sharing his experience in “Lachlan’s Great North American Road Trip” on YouTube and renewing his partnership with the Power of Bicycles. 

Our community around the globe used their talents to fundraise for World Bicycle Relief and support the Power of Bicycles.

• The 12th annual TechBikers ride from Berlin to Copenhagen raised more than 150k€ in donations for the Power of Bicycles.
• Tommy Davies and Jude Organ cycled 5,000 km from Istanbul to London, raising $30,000 to help change lives through World Bicycle Relief.
• In an epic 4,500 km, 8-week bike-packing journey through East Africa, New Zealand Olympians Hamish Legarth and Nicole Shields raised $30,000 and spread awareness for bicycle mobility. They also had the opportunity to see Buffalo Bicycles in the wild! 

We love when our partners and supporters combine impact and a little bit of fun with events and activations meant to highlight the vital role of bicycles.

• The second annual Winter Park Ride & Dine in Colorado brought together changemakers for a day of riding or hiking, followed by an evening of purpose and stories of life-changing mobility.
• The 17th annual Ride Like King event, inspired by Giant Group founder King Liu, drew a record number of participants from all around the world and resulted in 700 Buffalo Bicycles donated for communities in need.
• RADL GRVL named World Bicycle Relief its official charity partner this year and helped to fund more than 700 Buffalo Bicycles. 
• Intrepid Travel and Intrepid Foundation hosted its third annual Buffalo Ride, encouraging cyclists to ride and fundraise more than AUD$120 for the Power of Bicycles. They also hosted an eight-day cycling and fundraising trip through Kenya.
• Lidl-Trek provided signed time-trial helmets featured in the Tour de France, which were auctioned off to raise funds from supporters across the globe. 

As we look back at the faces and stories that shaped The First 20, we invite you to join us in writing the next chapter. 

Because with every bicycle, we move closer to a world where independence, possibility and freedom are within reach for all. Thank you for being on this journey with us.