Working Bikes Aids Developing Countries

Raoul Gonzales, of Working Bikes, was hosted by Jim Franson as the speaker for the Grayslake Rotary meeting on April 4th.  Raoul detailed the background and objectives of the program, which was started in 1998 to take discarded and unused bicycles in the United States, refurbish them, and distribute them to developing countries around the world.  In countries such as Tanzania, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Kenya, Angola, El Salvador, and others, a bicycle can be the difference between work and unemployment, and are used for transportation, cargo, and even emergency vehicles.  Working Bikes shipped 5000 bikes abroad in 2010, in 10 shipping containers that cost $5000 each to ship.  U.S. sales of donated bikes and donations to the organization fund these shipping costs, and non-governmental agencies in the recipient countries handle distribution.  The Grayslake Rotary Club is conducting a drive for bike donation on April 23rd in support of Working Bikes.  For more information about working bikes visit their website.