The corona pandemic created travel problems for essential workers in the townships around Cape Town. They depend on affordable and safe transportation to get back and forth to their jobs. Trains and busses are not running, taxis are unsafe and e-hailing services as Uber are expensive.

Heroes on Bikes initiative

South African companies Khaltsha Cycles bicycle shop and bicycle manufacturer Avalanche Bicycles joined forces with Pedal Power Association and Bike4All to form the Heroes on Bikes initiative. The objective of this project is to provide essential workers from the townships with bikes so they can commute to work safely. Part of the costs – which not just covers use of the bikes but also the spare parts - are shared by the parties involved. The remainder of the money is raised through crowdfunding. Within a short time, 20 frontline workers signed up for a bike, while enough money was raised to fund the first bicycles.

Khaltsha Cycles founder Sindile Mavundla wants to raise enough funds for 50+ bikes. He hopes to expand this initiative to other parts of South Africa. Sindile Mavundla: “A bicycle is the perfect mode of transport for social distancing. Our Heroes need safe, reliable, convenient and affordable transportation to get to our communities throughout the COVID-19 crisis.”
 

Khaltsha Cycles has started a crowdfund to support their initiative at https://gf.me/u/ystd3q.

Social media

Khaltsha Cycles

Instagram: @khaltshacycles

Facebook: @KhaltshaCycles

Pedal Power Association

Instagram: @pedal_power_association

Twitter: @PedalPowerPPA

Facebook: @pedalpowerassociation

Avalanche Bicycle Company

Facebook: @AvalancheBicycles 

Bike4All

Twitter: @BENBikes_SA

Facebook: @BENSouthAfrica