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Great Bicycle Charities
There are so many bicycling events out there, promoting cycling both
as a sport, as well as a way of life. Whether you are taking part in a
race, or a non-competitive city ride, or whether you are taking part in
cyclo-sportive, there is a genuine sense of community among riders, and
a feeling that they are involved in something that is good for their
community. More often than not, bicycling events also contribute to a
variety of worthwhile charities. If you are organizing an event and
would like to help a good cause, or if you would like to contribute,
here are some great charities to think about:
Bikes to Rwanda
 Bikes to Rwanda is a charity dedicated to helping the communities of
Rwanda, and in particular to helping the coffee co-operatives that are
very important to the country’s economic development, and in providing
jobs. Bikes to Rwanda simply provides bikes and bike repair facilities,
which in turn facilitates greater mobility and productivity within the
coffee industry. Coffee and cycling have always gone hand in hand, and
this is a great way to help a nation in need that produces our favorite
hot drink. Check out
Bikes to Rwanda
Yield to Life
Yield to life is a charity backed by US national cycling champion, Dave
Zabriskie. The charity engages in vigorous awareness campaigns to
promote positive attitudes toward cyclists and replace any hostility
that exists between motorists and cyclists with understanding, respect,
and appreciation for all life on the road. Safety for every cyclist is
the top priority of Yield to Life. Yield to Life concentrates on
road-rule education programs for motorists and cyclists alike through
driver's education programs, public awareness movements and media
campaigns in order to ensure a safer and more harmonious environment for
all those on the road. It also runs a hands-on educational programs with
target audiences that range from school assemblies to corporate
conventions. Workshops will be created to arm cyclists with tips for
navigating through traffic and tools for riding in a safe and
responsible manner. Yield to Life will work on a database for cyclists
to find the best, the safest and the most accommodating roads for
commuting and for recreation. Check out
Yeald To Life
Trips for Kids
Operating in the United States, Canada and Israel, Trips For Kids® (TFK®)
has opened the world of cycling to over 50,000 at-risk youth through
mountain bike rides and Earn-A-Bike programs. The more than sixty Trips
For Kids chapters combine lessons in personal responsibility,
achievement and environmental awareness through the development of
practical skills, and the simple act of having fun. Check out
Trips For
Kids
Wheels4Life
Wheels4Life is a non-profit charity that provides free bicycles for
people in need of transportation in Third World countries. They partner
with local individuals, organizations and other groups to help them
identify persons who sincerely need a bike to be able to go to school or
to work. Often these people live in very primitive and remote areas with
no access or means to public transportation. The closest school, doctor
or work-place might be 10 or 20 miles away. Having a bike can make all
the difference in somebody’s life and can give them a chance to break
out of the vicious poverty cycle. The gift of mobility, in form of a
bicycles, can do miracles. Check out
Wheels 4 Life
These are just a few of the good causes out there that need our help.
From groups looking to provide bikes and opportunities to cycle to those
in need to organizations looking to promote cycling and cycling safety,
there are many causes that are worthy of our support as cyclists.
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