Students and Bikes in South Africa – Getting Ahead, Inside and Outside the Classroom

Posted: 01 Feb 2006

Related to: Promoting Cycling in Africa, Planning & Advocacy for Cycling & Walking, South Africa
Contributed by: Victor Sables

Above: BEN introduces youth to the world of racing at events like the Argus Cycle Tour.

Cycling in South Africa is seen primarily in two distinct lights – as a means of recreation for the wealthy, or a necessary mode of transport for the poor who can afford nothing else.  With support from some of the country’s most viable businesses, the Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN) is showing school children, their families and teachers that bikes are far from being a travel mode of last resort. 

In 2004, Vodacom, South Africa’s largest mobile phone service provider, sponsored 110 bicycles through the schools program organized by the Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN), an ITDP partner. The focus of the schools program is to provide students with access to education and encourage them to attend school regularly.

All the students who are interested in the program are required to complete a small questionnaire and offer their time and energy to helping with activities at the school. Bikes are distributed with a helmet and students are required to attend a workshop on cycle safety, maintenance and repair.

BEN’s subsequent evaluation of the program indicates that in 2005 there was a 70% improvement in school attendance by the students.  Out of the 110 bikes originally distributed, more than two-thirds were still being used regularly, due in part to active encouragement from the teachers.  In addition, the cost of transporting the children to and from school – which can be as high as 20% of household income for the average family—was reduced significantly and these savings were transferred directly to improving the general conditions of students’ homes.

Due to the success in 2005, there are now over 100 additional students being identified for the 2006 program, which will be sponsored by Nedbank, one of South Africa’s largest financial institutions and the newest company to join BEN’s growing list of partners.

In addition to helping South Africa’s youth follow through with their education, BEN is also introducing them to the world of racing.  The Pick n’ Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour is one of the largest timed cycling events in the world, attracting more than 35,000 entries.  In 2005, the Cycle Tour provided BEN with 45 entries to the race. This has grown to more than 100 in 2006, with 20 children participating for the second time.  Nedbank has sponsored 50 bikes, helmets and cycle clothing for 2006 Tour.