World Bicycle Relief

Who we are

World Bicycle Relief (WBR) mobilises people through the Power of Bicycles. We believe in a world where distance is no longer a barrier to education, healthcare and economic opportunity. Our mission is to provide sustainable, appropriate bicycle transportation to mobilise and empower individuals and communities so they can travel to schools, clinics and markets. 

WBR UK’s purpose is to relieve the needs of people living in impoverished or disaster stricken areas of the world by the provision of bicycles to enable them to access education, employment, healthcare and other essentials of life. 

Founded in 2005, in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, World Bicycle Relief mobilises people through The Power of Bicycles. World Bicycle Relief accomplishes its mission by distributing specially designed, high quality bicycles through philanthropic and social enterprise programs. These purpose designed bicycles are built to withstand the challenging terrain and conditions in rural, developing areas. Entrepreneurs use the bicycles to increase productivity and profits. Students attend class more regularly and their academic performances improve. And, health care workers visit more patients in less time, providing better, more consistent care. 

World Bicycle Relief also promotes local economies and long-term sustainability by assembling bicycles locally and training field mechanics to service the bicycles. To date, World Bicycle Relief has delivered over 450,000 bicycles and trained over 1,200 field mechanics in Africa, Southeast Asia and South America. World Bicycle Relief is a registered not-for profit in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia and Germany.  We support programs in over 15 developing countries, and have assembly facilities in Angola, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.