Africa Bike in Town
Added by Mike 24 September 2009
So, I am sitting here facing 269 now-built Kona Africa Bikes. The amazing thing is being part of the process of building 269 bikes that will be used by local communities to mobilise health workers to assist the sick in the poorest of poor areas, in 2 days. So how did will build 269 bikes, in 2 days?

What 260 bikes look like once built, ready to go with helmet, booklets and touch up paint!

Biketown Africa is an organisation created by Bicycling Magazine (USA), in association with benefactors The Bristol-Meyers Squibb Foundation’s “Secure the Future project”, Kona Bicycle Company and volunteers who come from anywhere in the world to assist. On this trip Scotty Perkins from Boise, Idaho – a fanatic cycling fan and rider; Carol Williamson – a kindergarten teacher and Gretchen Pendleton both from Philadelphia (USA) – also chronic cyclists, all came out to assist with this project. Biketown Africa (www.biketown.org) have a volunteer program for anyone interested to go along and assist in these projects. In addition to the “tourists”, Ska and I, joined up to train locals who would become bike mechanics, Russell Carty from Kona Bike company came out from Switzerland, Bradley Schroeder (the man in charge) and Dominique (Bradley’s better half and the media person behind the projects) and Beryl Mohr from the Secure Our Future teamed up. 30 locals from the communities to which these bikes are going, arrived Monday morning to piles and piles of boxed bikes, with huge enthusiasm and hunger to learn how to build bikes. Many, including sister Angelica (yes, a nun) came along to build bikes. By Monday afternoon 190 bikes had been built, we had 79 to go, then quality control all ready for the hand over on Wednesday – which includes a bike ride around Orange Farm, which was a blast but absolute chaos.

The Kona Africa bike

Yes, it is quite a simple bike to assemble and to maintain, but it is built to be long lasting and handle the rigors of township life. The simple 2 piece crank, single speed bike is made from Kona chrome molly, single butted frames, with 26” wheels and bolt on Hubs. The bikes have a basket upfront and carrier that is part of the frame. Front and rear mudguards to keep the rider relatively clean and a comfortable seat, make the bike very simplistic. Come see one for yourself at our hillcrest store.

Training – Maverick Style

This was not just a free trip for Ska to experience flying or anything like that. Ska was brought along to train and interact. A new dynamic has been created and instead of training just 3 guys to be the mechanics, 20 of the locals crowded Ska to listen on how to maintain and repair these bikes. Each attendee will be awarded a certificate that states he/she has attended a bike workshop on basic mechanics – empowering people for the future.

Anyone can build a Kona Africa Bike – our man Ska assisting Carol (this is her 2nd trip) and Gretchen (never built a bike before)

You want to get involved?

If you would want to get involved, the next build heads to Keibaha, Tanzania in 2 weeks and then to Bikobo in Tanzania the following week, where further bikes will be built. You would need to get yourself there and then pay a package fee that includes accommodation, meals, and work like a slave in a truly exotic place whilst having loads of fun. Visit www.biketown.org and click on participate. To get more info on what we did visit the blog on www.biketownafrica.worldpress.com.