Social Bike Business Program

• A lack of affordable, quality, transportation bicycles for environmentally-friendly and sustainable transportation (and parts! see: One Street Components);
• A strong message from disadvantaged people we have met with in the U.S., Eastern Europe and Africa that their neighborhoods lack bike shops that serve their needs;
• The trend by the bicycle industry to move all production into Asian factories that engage in environmentally harmful practices and often misuse their workers through low pay, long hours and hazardous working conditions, thus escalating social problems;
• That very few of the factories making bicycles actually serve disadvantage people near the factories;
• That disadvantaged people are the people who can benefit most from affordable, quality, transportation bicycles.

This international program follows the principle of social business that adheres to the proven for-profit structure, but replaces the monetary bottom line with the number of underserved people served by the program. All elements of the program are scrutinized from a business perspective to ensure adequate income in order to serve as many disadvantaged people as possible.

The Social Bike Business program helps local leaders establish their own local training centers where they can train and employ impoverished locals to design, manufacture and distribute affordable, quality transportation bicycles to people in need. Once each local program is well established, distribution of the bikes is also done through social bike shops established by the program in distressed neighborhoods and certified annually to ensure they continue to serve disadvantaged people. These bike shops are owned by locals who have been trained in bicycle business management at their local center. The program also offers these new owners micro loans and initial capital to ensure a successful launch.

When they open their bike shop with the program’s guidance, their salary is included in the expected business expenses. Once they begin to turn a profit, leaders at their local center help them to grow their business to better serve social needs. Annual certification of these social bike shops ensures that they focus their efforts on serving as many disadvantaged people as possible. This certification qualifies them for continued assistance from the program i.e., prestige of social business certification, micro lending, continuing education, group promotions, peer-to-peer networking, etc.

Sue Knaup, One Street’s Executive Director, is the main staff for this program. Sue brings her experience as the owner of a local bike shop from 1991 until 2004, and her continued international bike industry connections.

This program offers a fresh look at solving the serious problem of access to bike shops and affordable, sturdy transportation bicycles for the majority of the world’s population. It offers a more efficient, global solution that keeps bikes close to where they are made as it lifts people from poverty forever. Through running their own bike business, or simply buying their own bike, people can save on transportation costs, increase their quality of life and create additional business opportunities.

Here's our Social Bike Business program brochure and a handy handout on the Social Bike Business program to help your efforts to gain support for a program for your city. Give us a call: +1-928-541-9841 or email sue{at}onestreet.org if you think your city is ready for a Social Bike Business program.

This video reminds us of the pride of local manufacturing, sadly uncommon now. It even ends with American kids riding the bikes. And don't miss the pinstripers!:

Below are links to information on the program in particular cities:

Los Angeles                                  Budapest                                        Prague

Uganda