Schwinn Bikes and Project Rwanda

Schwinn has been manufacturing American bicycles for over a century. Schwinn bikes have carried millions of American children to school and have provided transportation and recreation for everybody old enough to balance a two-wheeler (with or without training wheels). In America, Schwinn bikes are seen as a recreational vehicle, but in other parts of the world they are a method of transportation that is vital to the economy

Schwinn bikes are finding their way to some of those areas. Schwinn is a supporter of Project Rwanda, a Rwandan economic initiative that sees bicycles as a tool for recovery and prosperity. In Rwanda, bicycles are a symbol of hope.

As part of Project Rwanda, Schwinn is working with other organizations to design sturdy load-carrying bicycles for Rwandan coffee farmers. Many farmers currently use homemade wooden bikes, which are heavy and difficult to manage. Schwinn bikes provided through microloans are a huge improvement.

World Bicycle Relief is one of the organizations involved in Project Rwanda, and they point out that having a Schwinn bike (or any bike) is empowering to people in many poor countries. They can travel four times the distance on a Schwinn bike that they could travel on foot in the same amount of time. That means they can get products to bigger markets, and get better prices for their products. Schwinn bikes also get medical workers to AIDS victims, and transport supplies to people who need them.

Every time you ride your Schwinn bike, think about a Rwandan coffee farmer using his or her Schwinn bike to get coffee beans to the washer. Better yet, drink some Rwandan coffee before you set out. As the Rwandans say, "Brew, consume, enjoy and ride fast."