Daniel James Paterson is the founder of ManufacturingChange.org, an NGO which enables online volunteers to solve problems in developing countries for organisations that use manufacturing to create social change. In this guest blog, he reveals how bicycles can help beat poverty in Africa.
Engineeringly speaking, poverty elimination depends on two key factors: mobility of people and goods; and power – both mechanical and electrical – allowing human beings to do more than nature designed.
Whether creating light at night, producing and transporting high-tolerance components, or sending messages instantly to the other side of the globe, an increase in transportation and power has always meant an increase in human development and quality of life.
In Africa, bicycles provide both – in many innovative and empowering ways, far from those sunny-Sunday-afternoon rides which us Westerners are used to.
Need to charge your phone? That’s an easy one. Need an ambulance? No problem. Need to empty a pit-latrine? Yep, that's possible too. Bikes can do all of the above, and more.
With an impend
ing peak-oil driven resource shortage in the West, the time may come for you too to power your life with your bicycle. What would you use yours for? And how would you do it? Do leave a comment below…
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