The Carbon Cycle - Re~Cycle: Bicycle Aid For Africa page

We've decided to cycle the 260 miles to Copenhagen (via a north sea ferry!), from 5th to 12th December, to make our voices heard at The UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen, and to raise money for both  Re~Cycle: Bicycle Aid For Africa, and Friends of the Earth.  It's an attempt, in our own small way, to raise awareness of the importance of the summit and the desperate need for a meaningful climate deal before it's too late.

The UN Climate Summit takes place in Copenhagen from Dec 7th to Dec 18th.  To maximise our chances of preventing runaway climate change, we must quickly and massively cut global emissions. To quickly and massively cut global emissions we need a binding international treaty and the last chance we have to get that treaty within the timescale of the physics of the planet is the UN Climate Summit.  Hence the "most important meeting in human history" moniker.  We have the technology - we just need the political will and binding targets to secure a sustainable future for all.

Re~Cycle | Bicycle Aid for Africa's mission is to collect secondhand bicycles and ship them to Africa. They distribute bikes and teach riders the skills to repair and maintain them.  Their bikes also help health/AIDS workers reach remote villages and even provide an ambulance service in remote Namibia. 

Transport and development go hand-in-hand. Virtually everything traded, must be transported, and almost everyone needs wheels to get to work or school. Simple, affordable transport generates wealth in developing countries, as well as saving lots of time and back-breaking work.

In Britain, millions of bikes are thrown away or lie unused in sheds, whilst many people in Africa have no access to transport of any kind. Walking can take up-to 4 hours per day (collecting water, or walking to school). The burden can cripple a family, hampering work and education opportunities. A bicycle cuts travel time to a fraction, even carrying passengers and heavy loads. Bikes give families the extra time to earn, learn and enjoy life.

Please, if you can, sponsor us, and help the great work of Re~Cycle Bicycle Aid For Africa.