When AKP collected our first donated bicycle in the parking lot of our A&K US office in 2015, we knew that we were embarking on something special but could not have imagined the incredible success that we would achieve in changing lives around the world. Four years – and a lot of bicycle grease – later, AKP’s Bike Enterprise program has expanded to 6 countries. We cannot say thank you enough to A&K for supporting this program. With our recent shipment to Egypt in March 2019, AKP has sent a total of 10,626 bikes!

Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy provides access to opportunities through the use of bicycles – giving hope and support to those who need it most. Together with our generous supporters, AKP empowers our partner communities through mobility and income-generating enterprise. Each local shop is run by inspiring entrepreneurs who have partnered with AKP to repair and resell second-hand bicycles as a means to support their families, broaden the community’s mobility, and sustain a host of community outreach programs. AKP pays for the first shipment and training; resupplies are paid by the entrepreneurs.

WHY BIKES?

Several studies on the relationship between transportation and development have shown that bicycles are often the most appropriate and cost-effective method to solve the lack of access to mobility in the community, especially in areas like sub-Saharan Africa. Health care workers can see more patients, students can make the journey to school, middle- to low-income workers can get to work in an affordable manner, and families can carry more goods to and from home.

Chipego Bike Shop in Zambia receives their 7th shipment of bikes