Difference between revisions of "Bicycles in developing contexts"
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This article details the installation of panniers and luggage carriers unto regular bicycles, ie to allow use of the bicycle as a '''freight bicycle'''.
This article details the installation of panniers and luggage carriers unto regular [[bicycle]]s, ie to allow use of the bicycle as a '''freight bicycle'''.
== Pannier installation ==
This article details the installation of panniers and luggage carriers unto regular bicycles, ie to allow use of the bicycle as a freight bicycle.
1 Pannier installation
1.1 Luggage carrier installation
1.2 Construction of a luggage carrier with small (20") rear wheel
1.3 Bicycle taxis
2 References and further reading
3 Useful contacts and addresses
4 Wikis
Pannier installation
The carrying capacity of the bicycle can be greatly increased by attaching panniers either side of the wheel. However, the loads in the panniers must be reasonably well balanced. Panniers are particularly suited to carrying containers such as used for carrying water.
Panniers may simply be sacks or woven baskets hung from lengths of wood or bamboo fixed across the carrier or may be frames manufactured from wood or steel. They need to be as light as possible.
The design shown is a steel frame, which may be either welded or pinned together so that it can be folded up when it is not in use.
The base and sides may be filled in with wire mesh (weldmesh), wooden slats or canvas type material. The ends can be filled in on fixed panniers but not on fold-up designs.
Figure 2: Construction of panniers
Luggage carrier installation
These low cost adaptations of standard bicycles enable larger and more bulky loads to be carried on an extended rear carrier.
The load that can be carried is limited by the strength of the rear wheel and tyre. A strengthened wheel can be used so that the limiting factor is the load capacity of the tyre.
Figure 3: Extended bicycle Photo: Practical Action
Extended cycle user, W Aloysius Fernando, cultivator of mainly plantains & peanuts, sells peanuts in nearby towns. With the extended cycle, he can now transport enough to meet demand (1200 packets as oppose to 400 packets on his original bicycle). With increased business earnings he began to cultivate a larger area of land and could hire a peanut shelling machine.
This particular bicycle adaptation requires; the chain to be lengthened, the brackets for the rear break to be moved, and the brake rods to be lengthened. The frame does not have to be cut or modified in any way.
Figure 4: Construction of luggage carrier for a standard bicycle
Construction of a luggage carrier with small (20") rear wheel
The advantages of a small rear wheel are; there is more space for the load, the load is lower and easier to balance, the wheel is stronger, and the bicycle is easier to pedal. The main disadvantage is that the smaller wheel does not ride as easily over pumps and potholes.
Figure 5: Construction of luggage carrier with small (20") rear wheel
Bicycle taxis
The Bicycle taxi or boda boda has become popular in Uganda and Kenya, they operate for hire from stands in towns, bus stops and market centres. The name boda boda is said to come from the time when the East African Community existed and there was free movement across the boarder between Uganda and Kenya. Travellers were offered transport to the boarder by bicycle-riders shouting 'Border Border' to attract passengers. Converting a bicycle to a taxi requires reinforced forks, stronger brakes, a passenger seat and footrests, and cushions. New seat designs enable woman to ride side-addle should help to improve access.
Although the work is hard, the operators can earn a living despite a lack of formal education. The community transport organisation in Ndhiwa and The Kibos Cycle Taxi Association of Kisumu, Western Kenya worked in conjunction with Practical Action East Africa to:
• enhance the safety of bicycle taxis
• provide a cycle lane along the Kibos road
• set up a mini-medical insurance scheme for passengers and operators
• provide a credit scheme and repair fund for the members
• Bicycle Trailers (Practical Action Technical Brief)
• Low-cost Load-carrying Devices: The Design & Manufacture of Some Basic Means of Transport Ron Dennis and Alan Smith ITDG Publishing 1995
• Puncture Prevention Techniques for Low Cost Vehicles Michael Ayre & Alan Smith
• The Impact of Road Condition on Operating Costs of Bicycles, IT Transport, 2004, DFID. http://www.ittransport.co.uk/index.php?page=publications
• Forum News, IFRTD A quarterly newsletter looking at the issues of transport with animal power, bridges, bicycles, gender and transport, financing, engineering, sustainable rural livelihoods, and community planning. Forum News is produced four times a year in English, French and Spanish.
Useful contacts and addresses
International Forum for Rural Transport and Development - IFRTD
2 Spitfire Studios
67-73 Collier Street
London N1 9BE
Email: ifrtd@gn.apc.org
Website: http://ifrtd.gn.apc.org/
The International Forum for Rural Transport and Development is a global network of individuals and representatives from government, academia, multilateral and bilateral donor agencies, consultancies and technical institutions, national and international NGOs and groups of community organisations in Africa, Asia, Europe and North and South America.
I. T. Transport Ltd.
The Old Power Station
Ardington, Nr Wantage
Oxon
OX12 8QJ
Tel: +44 1235 833753 /821366
Fax: +44 1235 833753/821366
E-mail: itt@ittransport.co.uk
Website: http://www.ittransport.co.uk/
Consultants in transport for rural development
International Bicycle Fund
4887 Columbia Dr S
Seattle WA 98108-1919
Website: http://www.ibike.org/index.htm
A non-governmental, non-profit, advocacy organisation, promoting sustainable transport and international understanding. Major areas of activity are non-motorised urban planning, economic development, bike safety education, responsible travel and cycle tourism, and cross-cultural, educational programmes.
Pan Africa Bicycle Information Network (PABIN)
Website: http://www.ibike.org/pabin/index.htm
Working to improve opportunities for bicycle transport and low-cost mobility to improve productivity, the quality of life and the environment in Africa.
Re~Cycle
Unit A Global Park
Essex, CO1 2TW
Tel: 0845 4580 852 or 01206 863111
Email: mailbox@afribike.org
Website: www.re-cycle.org
Re-cycle is a charity whose mission is to collect and ship second hand bicycles and parts to less developed countries. Re-cycle helps to teach local people the skills of how to repair and maintain bicycles, to improve their lives in a sustainable manner.
First African Bicycle
Tel: 00256-77-620312
E-mail: africa.bike@jessas.de
http://www.jessas.de/index.html
FABIO (First African Bicycle Information Office) is providing literature and videos on bicycles as sustainable means of transport and is organising national and international seminars on bicycle-awareness. There is a bicycle-workshop and training-centre for youths in assembling and maintenance of bicycles.
Cycling out of Poverty
info@cyclingoutofpoverty.com
http://www.cyclingoutofpoverty.com/
Cycling out or Poverty is a Dutch organisation engaged in raising funds for bicycle micro credit projects in Africa. Cycling out of Poverty is running 3 projects: in Uganda, Burkina Faso and Ghana.
Jacana Real World Development
1321-B North Carolina Avenue NE
E-mail: info@jacanaworld.org
Website: http://www.jacanaworld.org
Jacana has been working on the Build A Better Bicycle (BABB) project. The objective of the BABB project is to commercialise a bicycle designed specifically for use in demanding African conditions. They have an office in Mozambique. Jacana is a member of bicycles for Humanity.
Bicycle Empowerment Network - BEN Namibia
E-mail: michael@benbikes.org.za
Website: www.benbikes.org.za/namibia
BEN import donated new and secondhand bikes from partner organisations and refurbish them by employing and training local people. They distribute bicycles to community-based organisations (CBOs) whose staff in their work. BEN is a member of Bicycles for Humanity. They are supported by biking for Bikes http://www.biking4bikes.com.au/.
Bicycles for Humanity
E-mail: info@bicycles-for-humanity.org
Website: http://www.bicycles-for-humanity.org/
Bicycles for Humanity began in 2005 with the aim of enabling others to raise funds and collect unwanted bicycles to send to reliable partners in developing countries.
HowtoPedia http://www.howtopedia.org/en/How_to_use_a_Bicycle_to_carry_things
Appropedia http://www.appropedia.org/BICYCLE
The Schumacher Centre for Technology and Development
Bourton-on-Dunsmore
Rugby, Warwickshire, CV23 9QZ
E-mail: inforserv@practicalaction.org.uk
Website: http://www.practicalaction.org/
This document was produced by Neil Noble for Practical Action and last updated in January 2007.
This page includes content from a technical brief created by Practical Action.
This page includes content from this original document.
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