Latest News from Wheels 4 Life
Donating Bikes: Riding Out of Deprivation in Eastern Uganda
In late 2022, CIDAR Uganda in collaboration with Wheels4Life Foundation started an initiative dubbed “Riding Out of Deprivation in Uganda” whose objective is to support poor and vulnerable people to escape deprivation and chronic poverty through access to bike transport services.
The “Riding Out of Deprivation” initiative was based on the motivation that a bike can greatly transform the lives of neediest individuals to escape deprivation and chronic poverty.
The Riding Out of Deprivation Initiative was preceded by the “Riding Away from Covid-19” Initiative, through which W4L extended support to CIDAR Uganda aimed at complementing government efforts in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in Uganda. Accordingly, a total of 233 bikes were distributed to health workers in Jinja and Iganga districts to facilitate their movement to and from health facilities to provide the much-needed response against the Covid-19 pandemic in the region (see photo below). The results of the initiative have since significantly enhanced the capacity of the local health facilities to management the Covid-19 and other pandemics.Press Releases
In early March Rich Cohen completed a solo, unsupported Fatbike ride across the 500KM remote Route Blanche (The White Trail) in Northern Quebec. Historically a snowmobile trail, this was only the second time the trail had ever been ridden by bike. Confronted with constant wind and a year of record snowfall, Rich completed the ride in five and half days. Inspired and supported by his wife Kristen who kept their growing number of followers updated throughout the ride, the couple raised over $7,000 USD in support of the Wheels for Life Charity. The donations for the ride came from Rich and Kristen’s family, friends, and from the incredible locals living in the small, remote communities along the trail. Below are a few choice pictures from the trip. If you’d like to see more about this adventure, you can visit the Facebook page.
La Route Blanche depicted here from Natashquan to Blanc Sablon in Northern Quebec.
Fully loaded with gear and five days of food and fuel for melting snow, my bike tipped the scales at 85lbs.
Colder night temperatures (as low as -30°C) made for faster trails and lots of night riding.
But it was always pretty amazing when the sun came up…
Finally back on (icy) paved roads. This intersection was the end of the line.
Health Workers in Uganda Welcome Bicycles Donation
In partnership with nonprofit Wheels 4 Life, BayWa r.e. donated 40 new bicycles to frontline health workers in a community in northern Uganda.
November 30, 2021 – Mobility is an essential element of development strategies that aim to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) introduced by the United Nations General Assembly. Overlooked as a development tool, a bicycle is an important economic resource and asset that unlocks access to education, healthcare, and livelihood activities. In support of Baywa r.e’s sustainability efforts and in partnership with nonprofit Wheels 4 Life, the company donated 40 new bicycles to frontline health workers in a community in northern Uganda to ease the burden of transport and reduce time spent walking to patients’ homes.
The health workers are volunteers who distribute medicine across remote locations. Prior to the donation, the group was walking an average of nearly two miles per day to villages to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to elderly, person with disabilities, children at risk and HIV+ patients that have been in lock down due to the high rates of new COVID-19 infections. Health workers received strong, reliable bicycles that serve as an effective tool to improve their motivation and efficiency as well as improve access of vaccines to vulnerable patients.
“Being part of BayWa r.e. puts all of us in a unique position to work for the betterment of our planet and during this journey we encounter additional opportunities to make a positive impact in the lives of others. Our company’s sustainability efforts contribute to the wider United Nations SDGs, and the projects we support align with this endeavor,” said Axel Veeser, Managing Director of BayWa r.e. USA LLC. “We want to thank Hans Rey for giving us the opportunity to support his organization, Wheels 4 Life, in advancing mobility for hard working frontline workers in northern Uganda.”
Mountain Bike Pioneer and World Champion Hans Rey founded Wheels 4 Life because he understands firsthand how bicycles can change lives. After a successful racing career, he looked for a new way to use the joy and freedom that biking brings to change people’s lives. The nonprofit provides bicycles to people in great need of transportation throughout the developing world. For their beneficiaries, the closest school, doctor, or workplace might be as far as 10 to 20 miles away. Since February 2005, the organization has delivered over 16,000 bikes worldwide to worthy recipients in Central and South America, Asia, and Africa.
“Thank you BayWa r.e. for your support in helping us make a difference. Give a Bike – Change a Life is our motto – we encourage people to support our cause, we have wonderful new gift certificates available on our website,” said Hans Rey on behalf of Wheels 4 Life.
Videos
Mexico Project 2022
Kilimanjaro: Mountain of Greatness
Hans Rey, Danny MacAskill and Gerhard Czerner head out on the mountain bike journey of a lifetime. Facing intense altitude challenges and health risks, this team sets out to be the first to conquer the two highest mountains in Africa back to back on a bike, Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro
Other Ways You Can Help
- Take Part in Wheel 4 Life Promotions
- Help out with our Fundraisers
- Organize your own Wheels 4 Life Fundraiser
- Promote Wheels 4 Life: Logos & Banners
Buy The Wheels 4 Life DVD
Wheels 4 Life - The Film - A Story About Giving is now available for $10 (plus S & H). The documentary film, narrated by John McEnroe, chronicles our Wheels4Villages projects in Tanzania, over the period of 14 month.
Watch the TrailerBuy the DVD
Featured Project
EFTC Foundation
Education for the Children (EFTC) is an international NGO based in Guatemala. Wheels4Life has worked with EFTC on several projects, including the delivery of over 100 bikes.More