Our Innovative Model
World Bicycle Relief combines impactful nonprofit programs with social enterprise sales to meet the pressing need for reliable transportation in low-income regions.

spreading THE POWER OF BICYCLES

World Bicycle Relief works with partners to help communities create long-lasting, sustainable change and break the cycle of poverty. Our programs provide specially designed, locally assembled Buffalo Bicycles to students, health workers and entrepreneurs. Funds from our global supporters enable innovative programming, delivery of bicycles to people in need, and constant evaluation of our impact. 

MARKET DEMAND FOR MORE

When people in the communities we serve saw the strength and durability of our rugged bicycles, the local demand for high-quality transportation grew exponentially. In 2008, World Bicycle Relief formed subsidiary Buffalo Bicycles Ltd., creating an innovative hybrid model in which the nonprofit wholly owns a for-profit that sells bicycles to other nonprofits, businesses, local governments and individuals to meet this increasing market demand.

OUR SUSTAINABLE APPROACH

Our unique model relies on training mechanics, distribution facilities and local assembly teams. Buffalo Bicycle retail shops create access to affordable spare parts that keep our bikes rolling. In turn, this creates jobs in the same economies and communities where we distribute bicycles to those who need them most. Partnering with communities to manage our bicycle programs at the local level provides direct feedback from riders and ensures the long-term impact of our work.   

See more about our Sustainable Approach

MEASURING OUR IMPACT

Since our inception, World Bicycle Relief has been committed to monitoring, evaluating and generating learning about our programs. Rigorous data collection and analysis helps us uncover the efficacy of individuals using bicycles to effectively fight poverty, improve academic attendance and performance, and change healthcare outcomes.

The more we learn, the more we can drive sustainable change and break the cycle of poverty in the communities we serve.

Dig into our Impact

WORLD BICYCLE RELIEF IS A REMINDER THAT THERE ARE WAYS TO HELP PEOPLE HELP THEMSELVES, AND THAT PROBLEMS CAN HAVE SOLUTIONS.

Nicholas Kristof
New York Times
Join The Story
Your support for World Bicycle Relief goes even further thanks to our innovative model. Join the story and give the life-changing Power of Bicycles today.