World Bicycle Relief NFP

In many rural communities, walking is the primary form of transportation. Long distances can turn an everyday journey to school, a health clinic or a market into hours of travel. The time and energy required can limit school attendance, reduce access to healthcare and constrain people’s ability to earn an income.
World Bicycle Relief works with communities to change that. Through philanthropic efforts and nonprofit social enterprise, we provide purpose-built Buffalo Bicycles designed for rugged terrain, heavy loads and years of daily use. A reliable bicycle helps riders travel farther, carry more and save valuable time and energy—giving them greater access to essential services and opportunities.
Our work extends beyond the bicycle itself. We collaborate with communities, governments and implementing partners to develop programs around locally identified needs. We train mechanics and strengthen access to spare parts and maintenance, helping build sustainable bicycle ecosystems that keep riders moving over the long term.
Since 2005, World Bicycle Relief has put more than 1 million bicycles on the road. Because each bicycle can benefit a rider’s family and community, these bicycles are estimated to have positively impacted more than 5 million people.
Research has shown the measurable difference access to a bicycle can make. Student absenteeism decreased by 28%, while dropout rates decreased by 19%. Students reduced their travel time to school by 33%. Community health workers reached 63% more households. Households reported 43% higher average monthly income.
Across 28 countries around the world, bicycles help students spend less time traveling and more time learning, enable health workers to reach more people with care, and help farmers and entrepreneurs transport goods and strengthen their livelihoods.
By supporting World Bicycle Relief, individuals can help more people overcome the barrier of distance and move toward greater opportunity.