More Than Just a Bike
For millions of children in rural Africa, education is not just a matter of willingness — it’s a matter of distance.
Many students walk for up to four hours a day just to reach school. By the time they arrive, they are often exhausted, hungry, and unable to concentrate. A simple bicycle changes all of that.
When students have access to a reliable bike, everything improves. They arrive at school faster, safer and less tired. Regular attendance increases, concentration improves, and academic performance rises. Parents also report that their children have more energy left for homework and household chores after school.
Our partners deliberately focus on “Cycle to School” initiatives because they know a bicycle is one of the most effective tools for keeping children — especially girls — in education for longer.
Targeted Support for Students It’s not just about handing over a bike. Our partners provide comprehensive support to make sure each student can use their bicycle safely and effectively:
- Basic bike maintenance training
- High-visibility vests and helmets for safety
- Ongoing support and community follow-up
Bikes are carefully distributed to the students facing the longest and most challenging journeys — those most at risk of dropping out.
Real Impact
The Gambia
In The Gambia, our partner WYCE has run 22 different Cycle to School projects across multiple regions. Through these initiatives, they have distributed nearly 700 bicycles to the children who need them most. The results have been remarkable: higher attendance rates, improved grades, and greater confidence among students, particularly girls who previously faced significant barriers to education.
Sierra Leone
Our partners at the Village Bicycle Project are working with schools across Sierra Leone on an ambitious programme. They plan to distribute 5,000 bicycles over the next 4–5 years to students and teachers. By overcoming the challenge of long, difficult commutes, these bikes will create greater opportunities for success in school and open doors to a brighter future across the country.
