California Bike Project

Recognizing the need for good-quality bicycles in African cities, ITDP teamed with US industry experts and independent African bike dealers to create the California Bike “Los Angeles”. This six-speed utilitarian bicycle is the first in a series of bicycles to be designed under the California Bike name. By shouldering the risk of importing and distributing the bicycle throughout Africa, ITDP has begun bridging the gap between the small independent bicycle dealer and the international bicycle industry.

Established in 2003, the California Bike Coalition (CBC) is a network of small independent bicycle dealers in Ghana, Senegal, South Africa and Tanzania. The aim of the network is to:

• Use economies of scale to make quality bicycles affordable and available to the African market
• Increase the sales and service capacity of member bike dealers
• Link dealers with international suppliers of quality bicycles, parts and accessories

Photo: the California Bike "Los Angeles"

In addition to filling the existing need for good-quality bicycles in the general public, ITDP works to enable ownership for people who can't afford a new bicycle. Employers throughout Africa are encouraging their employees to use bicycles by setting up Employee Purchase Programs (EPPs). This financing program allows employees to purchase California Bikes by paying for the bikes over time through paycheck deductions.

Government agencies, healthcare organizations, and other groups also purchase bicycles for employees to use on the job or for commuting to and from work. ITDP helps facilitate these purchases and gives bike maintenance classes to new owners of California Bikes. Over 7,000 California Bikes have been distributed through the independent bicycle dealer network.

Questions about this project can be directed to:

Bradley Schroeder

Training Documents:

• California Bike Assembly Manual (in French)
• Diagram of Components on a Bike (in French)
• Diagram of Frame of a Bike (in French)
• Diagram of the Drive Train on a Bike (in French)
• Final Assembly Checklist (in French)