Village Bicycle Project

Ghana

Village Bicycle Project was established in 1999 as a way of introducing more bikes into rural areas of Ghana and expanded into Sierra Leone in 2009. VBP continues to focus on delivering bicycles and programs to rural areas where the poverty rate is highest and access to bicycles can truly change the community.

VBP offers One-Day Workshops where they offer training and bike distributions to smaller, more isolated communities. They also offer Learn To Ride Programs for anyone needing assistance or guidance on how to ride a bike. This has been key in getting more women on bikes. Women and girls, who are frequently marginalized, are specifically targeted for inclusion in programs which begin to address the gender inequalities that limit their access to bicycles.

Additionally, VBP offers more intensive Mechanical Training to increase the availability of bike shops where our donated bikes are distributed, while also creating valuable job opportunities in rural areas. VBP staff train new mechanics and work with existing mechanics to expand their knowledge and skill set. VBP also offers specialized bike tools and spare parts to these remote shops. This comprehensive, holistic approach ensures that bikes will be dependable, affordable and sustainable transportation.

Bikes for the World began shipping bikes to VBP Ghana in 2005 and Sierra Leone in 2012. Over the 20 year partnership, we have donated more than 30,000 bikes between both projects. Between the two countries more than 20,000 people have been trained to maintain and repair bicycles.

Sierra Leone