Mission
Statement
Pedals
for Progress envisions a day when:
1. North America recycles over half of the 5 million used bicycles
discarded each year,
as well as unused parts and accessories for reuse overseas.
2. Poor people in developing countries have bicycles to get to
work, obtain services,
and meet other needs.
3. The bicycle is an effective tool for self-help in all developing
countries.
4. Trade regulations enhance international commerce in bicycles
and parts.
5. Policy makers in developing countries respect and support non-motorized
transportation. |
Our
objectives are:
1.
To enhance the productivity of low-income workers overseas where
reliable, environmentally
sound transportation is scarce, by supplying reconditioned bikes
at low cost.
2. To promote in recipient communities the establishment of self-sustaining
bicycle repair
facilities, employing local people.
3. To provide leadership and innovation throughout North America
for the recycling of bicycles,
parts, and accessories.
4. To reduce dramatically the volume of bicycles, parts, and accessories
flowing to landfills.
5. To foster environmentally sound transportation policies that
encourage widespread use
of bicycles worldwide.
6. To foster in the North American public an understanding of
and a channel for responding to
the transportation needs of the poor in developing countries.
approved
12/08/96
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"Pedals
for Progress is the most effective organization of its kind"
Mountain Bike Magazine, 11/98
Bicycling Magazine, 12/98
The simple solution for the complicated planet
We rescue bicycles destined for overburdened U.S. landfills and ship
them todeveloping countries where they are sorely needed and highly
valued. P4P bikes are put to work not only as basic transportation,
but are used as asupplement to school and community programs. The
bikes are adapted for useas trash haulers, produce trucks, taxis,
and farm machinery. Some of themunicipalities even sponsor recreational
cycling programs, making bikes available to all who care to participate.
When we can establish a program with an overseas partner, the bicycles
take onan even greater significance - to keep the bikes working, maintenance
is necessary.Children and adults are trained in bicycle maintenance
and repair, and the bicycles are sold within the community, fostering
the development of a local economy. If a person would like to have
a bicycle but cannot pay for it, that person has to work for the shop
(and learn a new skill) in order to cover the cost of the bicycle.
P4P also arranges for the bicycle shops to have a supply of tools,
parts, accessories, and lubricants for maintaining the bikes.With
Pedals for Progress, a bicycle becomes a valuable commodity for trade,
employment, transportation, local government - the list goes on. In
the countries where PfP has an established Partner Program, the most
successful entrepeneurs are the ones who use bicycles to get to work
and deliver the goods and service where they are needed most, allowing
them to expand their businesses and increase their personal incomes.
Medical personnel in remote areas rely on the bicycle to get them
to villages not accessible by roads. Without these "mobile bike
medics", people in these villages would not get the vaccines
or medical attention most of us often take for granted.
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