03 Apr Langa Bicycle Hub is Empowered through Bicycle Empowerment Network
Grant funding request of R1 342 246 was approved to support the Bicycle Empowerment Network’s (BEN) partnership with the Langa Bicycle Hub (LBH) to support the Bicycles of Langa (Iibhayisekile ze Langa) in the Western Cape.
Background
LBH is a cycling project established in 2020 during the trying times of COVID-19 as a community response to deliver medicine to bedridden beneficiaries with bicycles. Founded by Mzikhona Mgedle, who registered a social enterprise and converted the dumpsite as a first home in a 6-metre shipping container in Langa. The project offers various services including bicycle repairs, equipment sales, cycling-road safety training for children, bicycle tours and cycling awareness events with the assistance of BEN and other partners (schools, entrepreneur community, Provincial Mobility Department and Langa residents).
The LBH currently operates from Langa Stadium’s Ride Pump Park. The City of Cape Town’s Recreation and Parks Department has provided the premises to LBH. The innovation advocates for bicycles to be an alternative transportation mode for township residents. They have empowered many households by employing the youth to be positive about life and continue their studies, and support their parents
LBH has been in partnership with BEN since its establishment and was provided funding through BEN to strengthen the model of LBH and to provide more organisational mentorship to the partner in the Langa Community to ensure long-term sustainability for the LBH. The funding requested benefited both BEN and the LBH to enhance their mission through a well-equipped bicycle repair centre as the core service, increasing the network of trained, capacitated and skilled entrepreneurs who can operate small businesses including bicycle tours, bicycle deliveries, and learn-to-cycle classes.
Project Objectives
The objectives of the funded project are to use bicycling as an anchor to stimulate small business and job creation, thereby increasing the local marketable skills base, employment opportunities and further stimulation of the local economic base through capacity building, well-resourced hub, and awareness tours.
The focus was on internal capacity building, and to create technically skilled staff that can provide quality services to the community. This ensured that projects and other initiatives under the LBH are effectively run in future with sufficient skills transfer as new staff members were recruited. The training of five (5) LBH mechanics on BEN’s three-week mechanic programme was completed. In addition, SMME training, focusing on business skills was extended to 20 LBH staff, interns and volunteers to partly assist in the running of the organisation. 10 LBH staff, interns, and volunteers were trained as Riding Skills Instructors (Train the trainers).
Part of the objective was to enhance the premises of the LBH to create a well-resourced hub and productive workshop which will allow for greater productivity in terms of capacity development, bicycle repairs and event management. The aim was also to create a professional work environment for staff and a suitable public impression.
Stimulating cycling in Langa
Aims to expand LBHs fleet of bicycles for delivery services, sustainable township tours and tourism bike rentals. The provision was also made to acquire used bicycles to be restored and sold to generate revenue. The restoration work honed the skills of the newly trained mechanics and were developed into a reliable income stream.
Two awareness tours and three thematic stakeholder workshops took place. These events further developed a ‘Mobility Platform’ which aimed to create awareness of development initiatives and landmarks in Langa and to raise issues related to cycling advocacy.
Alignment to CSI Policy
The project’s focus is on upskilling people and/or providing an income stream for people from Langa. Being focused on unemployed people, especially the youth, in a township context, the project also satisfies national priorities related to the stimulation of township economies, youth development and the uptake of non-motorised transport.
Quick Facts about BEN
BEN has over 20 years of experience in empowering individuals, organisations and communities through the distribution of bicycles and associated activities. It is through seven key focus areas that BEN makes its impact in terms of promoting social and economic empowerment. To date, the organisation has had the following impact:
• 31013 bicycles distributed
• 18 bicycling empowerment centres established
• 92 individuals trained in bicycle mechanics
• 1063 individuals trained in safe cycling
