We are the Bandha Bikes team and we strive to create healthier communities by improving access to resources in Ugandan villages through the local development and distribution of bamboo bicycles. Due to the lack of available transportation options,
many Ugandans spend much of their time walking great distances in order to access food, water, markets, schools, work opportunities, and health facilities. Riding a bicycle is 4X faster than walking, yet only 41% of rural Ugandans travel by bicycle, while
the majority have no other option but to commute by foot. Bandha Bikes will provide access to needed resources in rural areas, reduce the time and health burdens of carrying heavy loads by foot, and free up time and money for Ugandans to pursue other opportunities
such as employment and education.
Why Bamboo?
Typical bicycles today are often made from materials such as metals, carbon fibers, or plastics which have unsustainable and harmful impacts due to the manufacturing processes and great distances traveled for global supply chains. Bamboo
is an untapped resource growing naturally throughout Uganda. The versatility of bamboo as a strong, sustainable construction material has been proven in recent decades. Bandha Bikes uses bamboo to manufacture bicycle frames locally in Uganda, providing a more
sustainable and affordable option to local buyers and alternative work opportunities for local staff
.
Partnerships in Uganda
Bandha Bikes is currently partnering with two community organizations based in Uganda: Skills of Hope Africa and Nansana Children’s Center. Each partnership contributes to on-the-ground knowledge which continues to provide invaluable insight, critique,
and guidance on all aspects of the project’s content. Each organization provides a strong, reliable bridge between the project’s domestic planning and implementation in Uganda.
