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Programs
BEN has a long standing
structural relation with international organisations:
I-CE Interface
for Cycling Expertise
BEN is partner in the Bicycle Partnership Program of I-CE.
Through the BPP and the Locomotives program which preceded
it, BEN participates in an international network of ngo's
promoting cycling policies and cycling inclusive
planning.These ngo's are based in |
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Africa, Asia and Latin America.
I-CE in the Netherlands secures funding from e.g. the Dutch
minister for Develop Cooperation to co fund projects and to
arrange training and exchange. |
With support
by BEN the cities of Cape Town and Tshwane signed a
Memorandum of Understanding with I-CE for capacity building
on cycling inclusive planning. The University of Cape Town
has become partner in the Cycling Academic Network,
initiatied by I-CE and Dutch universities.
The BPP
supports also projects by BEN to make bicycles affordable.
Re-Bike is a project to first select the valuable components
of second hand bikes before shipment. BEN and I-CE jointly
investigate the effect of second hand bikes on the local
market and the impact on the users.
Bicycle Distribution
BEN distributes bicycles to schools and learners, farm
workers, health-care workers and other beneficiaries
in co-operation with I-ce, ITDP, the Department of Transport
and the
City of Cape Town programmes, as well as through its Bicycle
Empowerment Centres (BEC), previously known as Independent
Bicycle Dealers (IBDs), and other projects.
Bicycle Empowerment
Centres (BECs)
BEN has established eight bicycle workshops in the Western
Cape, by supplying containers (converted
to workshops)
and stocking the workshop with bicycles and tools (either
new or used). BEC project managers are trained by BEN in
business management as well as bike maintenance. All
existing BECs are now independent of BEN, but the
partnership continues through ongoing training, bicycle
supplies, joint events and support.
BECs are sited in:
Masiphumelele: Phumlani
Dlongwana |
Tel
071 940 2059 |
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Westlake: Meshack Nchupetsang |
Tel 073 410 8478
or
meshackn@telkomsa.net |
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Capricorn: Jeff Mamile |
Tel 073 829 0203 |
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Hout Bay: Themba Makau |
Tel 073 924 4225 |
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Riebeek Kasteel: Dawie Amerika |
Tel
076 402 4793 or
goedgeda@iafrica.com |
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(Goedgedacht Trust oversees this project) |
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Merweville: Frikkie Bostander |
Tel 072 463 7303 |
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Rocklands High School: Ishmail Cassiem |
Tel 073 654 2761 |
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Hout Bay High School: Llewellyn Frans |
Tel 073 354 9233 |
Bicycle Assembly and
Refurbishment
Managers and mechanics are trained at the BEN Tokai Academy
in bike assembly, refurbishment and maintenance, as well as
in basic business management. The Academy ‘syllabus’
includes:
Bicycle safety skills
Using basic tools
Puncture and wheel repair
Hubs overhaul and adjustment
Wheel truing and testing
Headset overhaul and adjustment
Braking system (road and MTB)
Bottom bracket overhaul and adjustment
Recording of sales
Writing up of a cash book
Understanding a cash flow statement
Stock control
Nedbank Bike to
School Programme
The Bike to School programme was initiated in 2006 with
sponsorship from Nedbank, and is designed to promote cycling
as a mode of transport, provide learners with access to
education, and encourage them to attend school regularly.
During this financial year Nedbank sponsored
82
bicycles, helmets and Nedbank cycling kit to 82
learners from previously disadvantaged areas.
BEN uses cycling events such as the Cape Argus Pick ‘n
Pay Cycle Tour to introduce the learners to the world of
bicycle racing. As a result, a number of cyclists have shown
an interest in competitive cycling, while others have
discovered an easy and efficient way to travel to school.
‘The learners really enjoyed the race in 2007 and they are
very proud of the bikes and clothing they received from
Nedbank,’ says Mr Bunyonyo of Luhlaza High School in
Khayelitsha. ‘They are excited to ride their bikes
everyday.’
‘I could not wait to use my bike to school and tell the
other learners about the race,’ said
Malothe Anele of Matthew Goniwe High School in Khayelitsha.
Tour d’Afrique Donates 30
Bikes to Ben
In May 2007, Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Helen Zille, and
Andrew Wheeldon welcomed the 50 Tour d’Afrique finishers.
The Tour d’Afrique is a five-month, 12 000km journey bicycle
tour from Cairo to Cape Town. In addition to being ‘the
world’s longest and most grueling bicycle event,’ the Tour
d’Afrique aims to raise consciousness about bicycles as an
alternative means of transport, and to do some good while
having fun by donating bicycles along the way and supporting
bicycle advocacy.
Shova Kalula/NMT Project
Shova Kalula
(‘pedal easy’) is a national government sponsored initiative
that
provides bicycles to rural and peri-urban
beneficiaries. The initiative aims to maximise the use of
non-motorised transport to enable communities to access
social and economic opportunities at a cheaper cost, and to
promote cycling as a low-cost mobility solution to
low-income households, targeting scholars, rural women and
farm-workers. BEN
has
a service provider contract with the Western Cape Department
of Transport & Public Works to distribute bicycles in terms
of this project.
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