CHANGING LIVES THROUGH BIKES

Bicycles have long been an underrated mode of transport. They allow you to travel further distances than your own two feet can take you. They’re more environmentally friendly than cars, and cost way less. For many, a bicycle is lifechanging. Here are our favourite charities that gift bicycles to people in need. 1 / BICYCLE EMPOWERMENT NETWORK (BEN) BEN gives hope and freedom to previously disadvantaged people by giving them bicycles, providing access to basic services such as health care and education. You can get involved either by donating bicycles and equipment or by volunteering your time to repair and maintain bikes and help with fundraising. benbikes.org.za/ contribute 2 / BUILD-A-BIKE SA Founded in August 2011, after a call for people to donate their unwanted bikes and parts. This NPO builds bikes from the parts they receive, and donates these bikes to recipients on a nomination basis. You can donate old parts or bike equipment and kits. Organisations can sponsor the initiative. If you know of anyone who needs a bike, you can nominate them. buildabikesa.com 3 / QHUBEKA Qhubeka was founded in 2005. The organisation believes that bicycles are tools of change in South Africa. Over the years, they’ve donated more than 80 000 bicycles to people in need. There are five activity areas to which they donate bicycles, including sports, health and disaster relief programmes. You can get involved by donating money to the charity. qhubeka.org