The bicycle is one of the most efficient, fun, and useful transportation tools known to man. To less fortunate people in the world, the possession of one is near impossible. With the past decades prolific use of bicycles in the 'West', there are many used bicycles that are not being passed to others and in disuse for want of a few repairs.
Many tourists go to 3rd World countries for vacations. The airlines usually permit each passenger to take 2 checked bags totalling 44 pounds (20 kgs). For no charge you can also take a sports item, such as a bicycle packaged in a box. In order not to overburden the airlines, my hope is that some tourists will be willing to reduce their luggage to one small bag and take a bicycle one way to someone.
Though the bicycle is more useful as a transportation tool in 3rd world countries, it must not be forgotten that there are people in our countries, especially children, who would greatly benefit from this program and would obviously be included also.
Giving bicycles will bring joy, ease lives, and therefore help many less fortunate people. As the use of each bicycle in 3rd world areas can typically last 30+ years, a one time small effort on our part will bring a huge asset to each benefiting person, sometimes lasting their whole lifetime.
Thank you for your consideration and help. Please see below for more information/notes, and see the frequent question section for important details.
Notes:
No Extra Charge- Most international airlines do not charge extra for taking your bicycle if your total baggage including bicycle weighs 20 kgs (44 lbs). Bicycles weigh between 12 and 18 kgs ( 28 to 40 lbs ). Two people travelling together have an allowance of 40 kgs (88 lbs) meaning that they can still take 2 other luggage bags totalling 22 to 28 kgs (48 to 60 lbs) along with a bicycle for no extra charge. Please confirm this with your airline or travel agent.
Packaging- Bicycles must be packaged for air transportation. Reusable bicycle boxes are available from bicycle stores who have received shipments of new bicycles. Actual packaging must be done by each tourist taking a bicycle as you will be asked at the airport if you personally packed your own baggage.
Deflate Tires- This is very important as the airplane altitude attained in the non pressurized baggage compartment has reduced pressure, causing the air in the tires to expand and burst if they are fully inflated at ground level.
Take off Pedals- Easy to do with a wrench. Mark which is the left and right pedal as you will find they are reverse threads to each other. This is so that they won't loosen with use and rotation of the pedals.
Handlebars- Loosen the handlebars, using an allen wrench. This is easy to do and the handlebars can either be swivelled for packaging or lifted out of the stem and taped to the side of the frame. No cables or gear wires need be disconnected in this procedure except a center pull brake cable where one exists.
Front Wheel- With larger bicycles the front wheel needs to be removed to fit in a standard bicycle box.
That's it. It's actually very easy. Ask a neighbour to help if need be or many bicycle shops would be willing to assist with this 5 minute procedure. You'll find that everything fits easily into a bicycle box. At your destination you will find no shortage of help with the simple reassembly and tire inflations of your bicycle gift.
Please ensure that your bicycle donation is in decent working condition when delivered to its destination. The life of a bicycle in the 3rd world is about 8 times its life in the West. People are adept at keeping bicycles functioning but parts are often impossible to obtain.
See Frequent Question Section for further Information.
Thank you,
Bill Ark
bill@giveabicycle.org
Invermere, B.C.
Canada
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