Bikes for Humanity
Wingecarribee Shire Council in association with Bikes for Humanity is calling on residents of the Southern Highlands to donate their unwanted pushbikes to assist the less fortunate.
On hand for the announcement, Councillor Jim Clark said the initiative was a great way for locals to help the under privileged in Africa.
“Bikes for Humanity is a global volunteer group with a local branch located right here in Bundanoon whose purpose is to recycle bikes to provide to communities in need overseas.”
“In particular, the bikes are shipped to areas where they can be used to assist health care and education workers cover distances which may normally be traveled by foot,” Clr Clark said.
Southern Highlands Bikes for Humanity spokesperson Hans Radowitz said the local chapter was aiming for at least 100 second-hand bikes.
“An estimated 1.2 million bikes are sold in Australia every year and in many instances the bikes that these replace end up as scrap at the local tip. This scheme aims to recycle as many of these unwanted bikes as possible and then ship them to villages in need in areas of Namibia and Tanzania,” he said.
Apart from aiding in regional mobility the scheme also provides business opportunities for struggling communities.
“The container that the bikes are shipped in then becomes a pre-fabricated workshop which continues to provide skills training, employment and business opportunities for the villages,” Mr Radowitz continued.
“We’re after all sorts of bikes but given the conditions they’ll be used in, mountain bikes are the most sought after. “In addition, we’re also taking collapsible wheel chairs which will also be recycled,” he said.
In support of the scheme Wingecarribee Shire Council has allocated a container for collections at its Resource Recovery Centre located on Berrima Road, Moss Vale.
Bicycles and wheelchairs can be dropped off free-of-charge at the Resource Recovery Centre during normal business hours.
For more information visit www.bikesforhumanity.com.au