News: 1000 More Kona AfricaBikes

The Kona AfricaBike

The Kona AfricaBike program has been providing durable, easy-to-maintain AfricaBikes to healthcare workers, assisting in the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients, since 2005. To date, Kona has donated roughly 500 bikes and plan to double their output this year alone with 1,000 more AfricaBikes planned for donation in 2008.

Kona's 2-for-1 AfricaBike sales program, where Kona donates one bike for every two purchased by consumers, is largely responsible for the increase in donations. The AfricaBikes are delivered to Bicycling magazine and Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Secure the Future Foundation BikeTown project and other non-profit and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) whose missions include helping to improve the quality of life in sub-Saharan Africa. Kona has also broadened its scope in 2008 and is developing projects with the World Wildlife Foundation and other organizations. Details will be forthcoming.

With roughly 2,000 AfricaBikes being sold around the world in the last year, Kona will donate 1,000 to the project with all proceeds from sales going into the production and delivery of AfricaBikes to Africa.

“There is a sense at Kona that cyclists are becoming more aware of their role in the world and how bicycles can contribute to the well-being of people everywhere,” says Kona Chief Jake Heilbron. “The idea that we can help in Africa has clearly hit a nerve in the minds of cyclists everywhere.”

Last year, Kona’s adopt-an-AfricaBike program raised more than $10,000. A couple of examples of individuals going the extra mile for the program are 10-year-old Quinn Freedman who raised $1,500 by completing a solo 25-mile “Bike-a-thon” in the San Juan Islands last November and Virginia Tech senior Christine George who is currently spearheading a fundraiser with the goal of raising $10,000 for the project.

In partnership with Bicycling Magazine and Bristol-Myers Squibb, Kona will be making at least three trips to Africa in June and August. BikeTown representatives, volunteers and bike mechanics will be stopping in Mozambique, Swaziland and twice in South Africa to deliver AfricaBikes, educate Africans about the bikes and lend support in their healthcare mission. For more information about the project and how to adopt an AfricaBike check www.konabiketown.com and www.konaworld.com.

The AfricaBike in action