Africycle looking for used bicycles

Justyne Edgell, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

How fitting that, during National Bike Month, Africyle is holding a bike drive to collect gently used mountain bikes to ship to Africa.

On June 8 and 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Africycle container located at 14 Victoria St. N, (near the Second Wedge Brewing Co.) Africycle is accepting donations of gently used bikes as it fills the 40 foot container, which will be shipped off to Malawi.

“Every bike Africycle sends to Malawi translates to a household savings of nearly $250 USD per year in transportation costs, equivalent to almost half of a household's annual income,” says Ben Voxx, Africulce’s executive director. “Once in Malawi, the bikes are refurbished by Africycle’s local team of mechanics and will translate to more than $100,000 in saved income for some of the poorest households in the world.”

The team is looking for adult mountain bikes that are in good condition, ready to go to a new home.

This weekend, Victoria St. will be closed for Springtide Music Festival, so access to the Africycle container must be made from King St. W.

“We appreciate the continued support from our surrounding communities to provide these bicycles that not only improve mobility, but help generate funds that are supporting nearly 800 orphaned and vulnerable children in Malawi,” says Voss.