In Switzerland, bikes are a means of transportation for many, and a source of recreation for others. In Africa, bikes are means of transportation that provide access to education and career opportunities, while making an important contribution to environmental and climate protection. Imagine that your water tap isn’t only a few steps away, but that you need to walk several kilometers to a well. The nearest market is a day’s walk away, and your children need to walk for hours to reach their school. For many people living in rural Africa, this is their everyday reality. The convenience of a bicycle changes the life of a child, a family – in fact a whole village community. Bicycles reduce poverty by allowing them to travel greater distances, transport more goods, and leave more time for learning and cultivating the fields.

Velafrica is a Swiss non-profit organization that collects old bicycles, makes them roadworthy again, and ships over 25,000 bicycles from Switzerland to Africa each year. Even if the bicycle cannot be salvaged, the various parts will be removed, cleaned, and re-used or sent alongside the bicycles for spare parts, and the rest will be properly recycled.  Velafrica also works with local partners to set up bicycle workshops, hold instruction courses, and train bicycle mechanics, which also leads to job opportunities in bicycle assembly, repair, and sales. Switzerland also benefits from this program as they train and employ the disabled or unemployed in the repair and preparation for transport of the donated bicycles. It is a win-win! So if you have an old bike that you no longer use, or perhaps a small bike that your child has outgrown – whether it is roadworthy or not – you can donate them to Velafrica and help this wonderful cause.

If you have a bicycle to donate, there are over 300 collection locations in Switzerland, including four in Basel and three in Baselland (https://velafrica.ch/wie-sie-helfen/velospende/). Visit their website to find out more about this terrific organization, to view a video about the process entitled “More than two Wheels,” or to simply find a collection location nearest you.

Right now, Velafrica is running a collection campaign where they will collect the donated bike free of charge from your doorstep. To participate, you need to fill out a registration form by February 24, 2026 to register your bike donation. Following the registration deadline, they will send you labels by mail to mark your bikes, along with information about the planned pickup date between March 3-5, 2026 (https://velafrica.ch/was-wir-tun/velo-abholaktion-region-basel-2026/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=aa-basel).

Note that Velafrica accepts all types of bicycles, regardless of size, age, or condition; however, they do not accept scooters, balance bikes, bicycle trailers, or specialty bikes (e.g., tandems, recumbent bikes, tricycles, etc.). You need to remove all bicycle accessories such as baskets, bags, and child seats. E-bikes can also be dropped off at the Velafrica collection points at any time but cannot be picked up during their collection campaign.

In addition to donating a bike, you can help Velafrica in numerous other ways: you can volunteer some time fixing, cleaning, and repairing bicycles (no experience necessary); you can also organize your own bicycle collection with your school, friends, or neighborhood or conduct a fundraising event such as a bicycle cleaning day, sponsored run, or bake sale. Volunteering some time could be a great learning experience and summer vacation activity for your teen! Find out how at https://velafrica.ch/wie-sie-helfen/freiwilliges-engagement/.

https://velafrica.ch/en

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