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How to put some recycle in your bicycle

Donated mountain bikes can change lives in Africa
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John Robertson has about 75 bikes ready for shipping in his Central Saanich shed. He hopes a Star Cinema event in Sidney will boost bike donation and cash flow to send the wheels to Africa.

As long as his wife can’t see the hundreds of bikes hiding in the back yard, John Robertson knows his hobby is safe.

When they start to spill out of the shed, and into line-of-sight from the back window, it must be near time for a shipment.

About 75 bikes are stockpiled in the shed right now, but the Central Saanich firefighter wants hundreds more.

“I got started in it because we can put somebody on a bike in Africa for $25,” said Robertson, who is also assistant fire chief for Central Saanich. “Giving them a bike changes their life … It all of a sudden opens the door to education, to employment.”

Robertson is a local member of the Victoria chapter of Bicycles for Humanity, a group that gets two-wheeled vehicles over to the impoverished continent. Loads of people are willing to “upcycle” their bicycles.

“It’s actually making better use of it than the first time around,” Robertson said. “The bikes are easier, the finances are harder … Everybody on this end are volunteers, so all the money goes to shipping costs.”

The Victoria chapter of Bicycles for Humanity kicked off with founder Chris Wille sending a boat load of bikes to Namibia in 2009. They hope to send another shipment, a container holds about 500, this year.

“People in Africa will spend up to four hours a day walking,” explained Robertson, citing the example of a public health worker. “If we give them a bike, they can see four times the patients or clients in a day.”

A good ol’ mountain bike is perfect to traverse the rough Namibian roads, and the good-condition, used bikes sent from Canada tend to be a better alternative to the selection available to purchase over there, Robertson said. “They don’t need all the bling, they just need wheels.”

“If we get a straight frame and two wheels, they’ll make it work,” he added, noting the bikes are tuned up and at times put together on the other side. “It starts a little economy, it gives other people jobs.”

Bicycles for Humanity will host a feature event at Star Cinema on June 1. The evening will showcase about five films: a couple of shorts showing the impact bicycles have on life in Africa. At 6:30 p.m. LifeCycles, which follows the ‘life’ of a bicycle is onscreen. At 8:30 p.m. the coming-of-age film Breaking Away (1979) is on the big screen courtesy of Russ Hays — The Bicycle Shop. Admission is by donation (suggested $10 minimum).

“Maybe they can ride a bike and walk home,” he said with a chuckle. “I’m just hoping people come to the Star and have a good time and learn about what we do.”

For more information about Bicycles for Humanity visit http://b4hvictoria.blogspot.com or email b4hvictoria@gmail.com.