18th July 2020 – Bicycle-related organisations in Cape Town partnered on Mandela Day to bring a bit of hope to homes in the township of Langa. 67 Food parcels were delivered to identified homes by Cloudy Deliveries via their nifty bicycle-courier service. Relive some key moments by watching this highlights video, as we collectively aim to live out the legacy of Nelson Mandela. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJUTjEfhrqk&t=4s #MandelaDay2020 #FoodParcels
Provincial Sustainable Transport Programme moves forward during these uncertain times, improving mobility through the use of a bicycle. Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works Pedal Power Association Qhubeka Charity
Coot Neighbourhood Watch in Mitchell’s Plain – 5 bicycles.
Oceanview Community Wellness Solutions – 5 bicycles.
Livelihoods – 25 bicycles
Khaltsha Cycles Khayelitsha- 26 bicycles
Movement for Change and Social Justice in Gugulethu – 10 bicycles
Cloudy Deliveries Colin Mkosi – 10 bicycles
The PSTP is a programme run by the Department of Transport and Public Works, and aims to improve public transport and the safety of roads and communities in the Western Cape. As part of the programmes commitment to non-motorised transport, the first year of funding will see 400 bicycles distributed
Together – moving forward!
Bike4All, a joint partnership with Bicycling Empowerment Network and Pedal Power Association have joined forces with Khaltsha Cycles in Khayelitsha on a #HeroesOnBikes campaign to raise funds for essential workers who are in need of safe, reliable and convenient transportation to get to and from our communities during the COVID19 pandemic.
Our wish is to help raise funds for 20 bicycles to ensure that we can continue to assist mobility in the communities through the use of the bicycle. All donations received will not only be greatly appreciated but will change many lives.
For more information and donations please go to: https://www.backabuddy.co.za/heroes-on-bikes
15th May 2020 – Bicycling Empowerment Centers (BEC’s) in Mitchells Plain have a permit to operate.
To purchase your bicycles contact Mr Bean on 073 593 6228 or Ismail Cassiem on 073 654 2761
The Re~Cycle UK container arrived at BEN on Friday, 15th May 2020. We unpacked the container, social distancing with less staff. All staff were masked, gloved and constantly sprayed with sanitizer and disinfectant. This was no normal container delivery. We made sure that every COVID-19 safety and regulation was put into place before the delivery. Our biggest concern was to get the bicycles into the warehouse the safest way possible.
Thank you Re-Cycle UK for our blessing of bicycles. In the meantime Tony from BEN has worked hard to get permits for our BEC’s to operate in the communities. Great team effort.
Please be advised that BEN Staff are currently working remotely. Should you require assistance, you can contact us on info@benbikes.org.za or via the following email addresses:-
Tim Mosdell – tim@benbikes.org.za
Yvonne Tripod – yvonne@benbikes.org.za
Sue Strybis – sue@benbikes.org.za
Tony Florence – tony@benbikes.org.za
Solly Jones – 073 407 2618
Samantha Simon – info@benbikes.org.za
Amid the nationwide lockdown, a group of entrepreneurial teenage boys from Langa are doing good for their community by offering a R9 delivery service for essential items and takeaways.
The service, called Cloudy Deliveries, is operated by nine boys from the Langa area who ride their bikes to bring deliveries to their community. Deliveries cost a flat fee of R9.
The drivers range from 16-19 years old. The youngest team member, 12-year-old Olwethu, looks after the bicycles to make sure they are working properly and ready for the road each day.
“Our vision for Cloudy Deliveries is that we want it to be a reliable alternative to the way we do shopping or the way the exchange of money and goods take place between vendors and customers in black communities. While also having an impact in the lives of young boys in our townships,” they explain on their Facebook page.
“We would like to invite you to be part of a vision that seeks to move the community forward and a vision that wants to improve young lives by requesting a delivery and making your R9 count.”
While R9 might not seem like much, every bit helps.
“Your R9 does count and it does make a difference. It brings us closer to our vision which is to impact the lives of young boys and of providing you with a reliable alternative to the way you buy goods,” they say.
Deliveries can happen through a number of means. Customers may contact the boys on the numbers listed below, place an order at a specific shop and can ask the owner to request the delivery or simply stop the boys on the street and ask for a delivery to be made.
If you’d like a delivery, you may contact 062 412 8804. Visit their Facebook page HERE.
On the 19th March 2020, three Neighbourhood Watch organisations in the Swartland received 40 bicycles as part of the Provincial Sustainable Transport Programme (PSTP). The programme, run by the Department of Transport and Public Works, includes a Bicycle Distribution Programme. Malmesbury Eagle Eye, Chatsworth NHW, and Abbotsdale NHW all received bicycles to assist in providing security services to the local community. The project was facilitated by the Department in collaboration with the Department of Community Safety, the Swartland Municipality, and the Bicycle Mobility Consortium (Qhubeka, BEN, and PPA) Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works Bonginkosi Madikizela Premier Alan Winde Swartland Municipality Qhubeka Charity Pedal Power Association
Bicycle safety classes are an important and imperative part of the Provincial Sustainable Transport Programme (PSTP). Three schools in Malmesbury and one in Darling will be receiving bicycles at the beginning of the new school term, and went through bicycle safety classes on Wed, 11th March 2020. The programme, run by the Department of Transport and Public Works, makes sure every learner is equipped with personal, road and bicycle safety before they receive their bicycles. The project was facilitated by the Dept of Community Safety, the Swartland Municipality and the Bicycle Mobility Consortium (Qhubeka, BEN and PPA) Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works Bonginkosi Madikizela Premier Alan Winde Qhubeka Charity Pedal Power Association
Bicycling Empowerment Network supports the South African Government on their decision to LOCKDOWN for the next three weeks but as a nation we now need to stand together to stop the spread of the COVID 19 virus. For updates on Covid-19 visit https://sacoronavirus.co.za/
