We are happy to announce and celebrate the 20th anniversary of our non-profit organisation ‘Wheels 4 Life’. Since 2005 the charity has been dedicated to providing bicycles globally to individuals in developing countries who are in great need of transportation. The charity’s milestone marks two decades of life-changing impact, with over 20,000 bikes funded and distributed across more than 30 countries.

A big thank you to everyone who has supported our mission over the years, whether through donations, fundraisers, giving their time and energy or advice; this could not have been achieved without your trust and belief in what we are doing.

There are too many committed donors to single out a few, they know who they are and we thank them sincerely. Without them we could not do what we do.

The charity was born out of Hans Rey’s firsthand experiences traveling the world where he witnessed how a simple bicycle could make a profound difference in people’s lives. A bicycle is more than just a mode of transport; it’s a tool for change, it can be the difference between getting a job or not, going to school or not, seeing a doctor or not.

Giving bikes, changing lives
Wheels 4 Life’s mission has always been simple: ‘give a bike – change a life’. By providing sustainable transportation, the organization empowers people to break the cycle of poverty and improve their daily lives. A bicycle enables recipients to travel up to four times faster and farther, carry four times as much, and typically benefits four people because it is often shared. Wheels 4 Life has supported a varied range of people including:

  • Students: A bike can shorten the journey to school, allowing a child to focus on their education rather than an exhausting walk (often 5 – 10 miles). For female students the bicycles also provide added safety from harassment or worse.
  • Healthcare Workers: Mobile medical personnel can reach more remote patients, improving healthcare access in underserved communities. Wheels 4 Life has also provided ambulance bikes to healthcare workers in Malawi and Uganda.
  • Farmers and Fishers: A bike helps farmers and fish harvesters to transport increased loads of goods to market more efficiently, increasing their income and self-sufficiency. The bicycles also enable them to get home earlier, allowing them to begin harvesting and selling the next load sooner.
  • Entrepreneurs: With a bicycle, people can more easily access work opportunities and grow small businesses.

A model for maximum impact
To maximize the impact of every donation, Wheels 4 Life employs a strategic and highly efficient model:

  • Local Purchases: All bicycles are purchased locally in the countries where they are distributed. This approach reduces shipping costs and import fees, boosts the local economy, and makes spare parts easy to obtain.
  • Volunteer-led Operations: The charity’s operations are run by a dedicated team of volunteers, ensuring that over 90% of all donations go directly towards purchasing and delivering bicycles. Hans and Carmen Rey do not receive a salary and pay for their own travel.
  • Trusted Partners: Wheels 4 Life partners with vetted local NGOs, non-profits, schools, and healthcare centers to identify the individuals who will benefit most from a bicycle. These organisations also ensure the smooth distribution of the bicycles and follow up with the recipients’ delivering reports so that we can be assured that the bikes are being allocated to maximize positive effect.

Looking ahead
As Wheels 4 Life enters its third decade, the organization remains focused on its core mission of providing transportation to those who have neither access nor means for alternative transportation.

We encourage supporters to visit our website at www.wheels4life.org to learn more and get involved. A $150 donation buys a new bicycle, while $450 funds a custom ambulance bike. Any amount is welcome and helps change lives through the gift of a bike.

Wheels 4 Life, our mission and the board 
Wheels 4 Life is a non-profit charity founded in 2005 by Hans and Carmen Rey. A big shout out to all our former and current board members: Mark Peterman, Scott Robinson, Michelle Venya, Bryan Cole, Diana Graber, Andrew Herrick, Joey Santley and Walter Demel. The organization supplies new bicycles to those in developing countries needing transport for jobs, education, or healthcare. Wheels 4 Life is run 100% by volunteers and is focused on ensuring that the maximum amount of donations goes to buying bicycles.

Thank you everyone from the bottom of our hearts for your support.

Hans Rey (Exc. Dir.)  &  Carmen Rey (Treasurer)