The Coalition: A Network of Bicycle Dealers
ITDP is bringing together small bicycle retailers in Ghana, Senegal, South Africa, and most recently, Tanzania to form the California Bike Coalition. Member retailers are given skills training and then accredited through a program that includes quality standards for bicycle assembly, repair and customer service.

Increasing Access to Bicycles
In addition to filling the existing need for good-quality bicycles in the general public, ITDP works to enable ownership for people who can't afford a new bicycle.  Employers throughout Africa are encouraging cycling among employees and setting up purchase programs to allow workers to buy California Bikes over time through paycheck deductions. Governments and NGOs are also purchasing bicycles for employees to use on the job, which they are often allowed to use for commuting as well. ITDP helps facilitate these purchases and gives maintenance classes to new owners of California Bikes.

Project Updates

From the Field: Home Health Visits on Bicycle
Cape Town, South Africa
(article and video)
November 17, 2006

The California Bikes Brighten South African City
(April 2005)

California Bike Coalition Comes of Age
(January 2005)

Using Bicycles to Save Lives
(January 2005)

Cape Town's Cry: These are Our Streets
(May 2004)

California Bike Coalition Presentation, Interbike  (October 7, 2004) 
(pdf file)

Baesekele: the Heroes Journey
From Free State farm worker to competition cyclist (March 2003)
 

The Hard Way: Freewheeling, by Mark Jenkins (March 2004)
Outside Magazine

"Trek's New Bike Boosts Mobility in Africa"  (October 1, 2002) 
Bicycle Retailer and Industry News