Formally adopted by the United Nations in 2018, World Bicycle Day celebrates the critical role bicycles play in fostering sustainable development around the world.  

Dr. Leszek Sibilski, a longtime World Bicycle Relief supporter, and his students at Montgomery College campaigned for the UN to name World Bicycle Day as an International Day of observance. 

At World Bicycle Relief, we strongly agree, as stated in the World Bicycle Day UN resolution, that “the bicycle can serve as a tool for development and as a means not just of transportation but also of access to education and healthcare.”

Large bicycle programs within supportive communities have the potential to generate positive change and significantly contribute to the achievement of the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). >> Read our full article in the UN Chronicle

World Bicycle Relief believes that two wheels can open a new world of possibilities – especially in places where access to reliable transportation is a luxury. That’s why we are committed to supporting communities in low-income regions to pursue their dreams with life-changing bicycles. 

Since 2005, World Bicycle Relief has produced more than 700,000 specially designed, locally assembled Buffalo Bicycles and is on track to produce 1 million bicycles to help empower 5 million people by 2025.

Armed with a rugged Buffalo Bicycle and support from within their communities, studies have shown that students, health workers and entrepreneurs can face challenges head on and thrive. 

Smile, a 14-year-old student in Hwange, Zimbabwe, would walk 4 km to and from school each day, arriving at school tired. Smile is an orphan, living with her aunt and uncle, and it is her role to perform the chores each morning before going to school. 

As is the case for many girl students in rural regions of the world, the biggest barrier to education is often getting to school. Access to reliable transportation mobilizes girl students to access schools and clinics, support their communities, and realize dreams.

Smile was one of more than 2,000 students, healthcare workers and entrepreneurs in Hwange to benefit from World Bicycle Relief’s Mobilized Communities programming to help improve access to health, education and well-being, supporting the individual as well as the community as a whole.

“When I received the bicycle, I felt excited,” says Smile. “It helped me get to school before lessons started. I dream that other children can get a bicycle so that they can overcome distance and they can go to school every day.”

The Buffalo Bicycle isn’t your typical bike. While most of the world’s bicycles are lightweight, complex and made for recreation, the Buffalo Bicycle was created specifically to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh climate conditions of the regions in which we work. The result of over 15 years of product development, our bicycle meets the pressing needs of communities across Africa and in Colombia.

The extremely durable Buffalo Bicycle is field-tested and assembled in World Bicycle Relief’s program countries. The rear rack’s capacity of 100 kgs allows the rider to carry heavy loads to market or even another rider to school. The design of the Buffalo also ensures compatibility with locally available spare parts.

On World Bicycle Day, World Bicycle Relief celebrates by supporting girls like Smile with its annual Pedal to Empower event. This global movement unites riders of all ages to help empower women and girls in need with life-changing bicycles. 

Join us for this year’s event at pedaltoempower.com!