World Bicycle Relief’s Post

A few months ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Cycling Research Board annual conference at ETH Zurich thanks to Urban Cycling Institute. At this forum that draws researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders interested in cycling issues, I shared key insights from ongoing World Bicycle Relief research we are conducting in Kenya, Malawi, and Zambia. In this short blog, I have reflected on my experiences at the CRB conference and highlighted key lessons I have learnt from research on bicycle usage and impact among women in the three countries: 🚲 Buffalo Bicycles are extensively used. In Petauke, Zambia, women report using the bicycles an average of 17 hours per week (which translates to approx. 2.4 hours per day). ⏰ In Zomba, Malawi, 96% of women we surveyed reported that they had experienced a decline in the amount of time spent travelling after bicycle receipt. What do the women do with time savings? They spend more time on businesses or farm work, they rest more and can participate in other household and community engagement activities. 💰 More than 80% of women surveyed in Kakamega, Kenya report bicycles have contributed to higher income levels in their households. 🏥 Prior to bicycle access, women participants in Zambia spend nearly two hours walking to access health facilities. With bicycles, women have reduced the time spent travelling to health facilities by an average of about 40%. They also transport sick family members to hospital using their bicycles.   https://lnkd.in/en2xs6sY World Bicycle Relief East Africa Anthony Kinnaird Abel Maruwo Maureen Kolenyo Ivy Chinyama kabombwe Nixon Otieno