Introduction and Context
Isolation is one of the key elements of poverty, isolated communities have little or no access to goods and services, and few opportunities to travel beyond their immediate surroundings. This restricts agricultural productivity, reduces health and educational and limits opportunities for employment and political opportunity. Limited financial resources prevents investment in means of transport maintaining the position of poverty and isolation.
Consequently, there is a need to develop alternative, more affordable means of transport. Developing such systems requires consideration of four key elements:
One of the more common types of intermediate transport is the bicycle.
Bicycles are a low cost means of transport that can improve access to water, health facilities and, for example, address stove marketing problems faced by woman producer groups in Kenya The bicycle is still expensive for poorer families in Africa and can cost between 20 to over 100 per cent of a rural households annual income. Therefore, transport needs to be supported by an affordable system of manufacture, supply, and repair. Affordability is related to the availability of spare parts and repair services, which are sometime lacking in rural areas. Several projects have attempted to boost local economics by encouraging artisanal production of suitable transport and improve the local capabilities of metal workers to maintain and repair bicycles and other types of transport. Figure 1: Cyclist carrying mattresses, Puttalam District. An example of ordinary bicycle used to transport difficult loads
The carrying capacity of the bicycle can be greatly increased by attaching panniers either side of the wheel. However, the loads in the panniers must be reasonably well balanced. Panniers are particularly suited to carrying containers such as used for carrying water. Panniers may simply be sacks or woven baskets hung from lengths of wood or bamboo fixed across the carrier or may be frames manufactured from wood or steel. They need to be as light as possible. The design shown is a steel frame, which may be either welded or pinned together so that it can be folded up when it is not in use. The base and sides may be filled in with wire mesh (weldmesh), wooden slats or canvas type material. The ends can be filled in on fixed panniers but not on fold-up designs. Figure 2: Construction of panniers Move stays 560 140 Carriers need to be strengthened to support panniers. Make the inner members from 20x20x3 or 25x25x3 angle 500 Bolt to bicycle 640 320 Bicycles
These low cost adaptations of standard bicycles enable larger and more bulky loads to be carried on an extended rear carrier. The load that can be carried is limited by the strength of the rear wheel and tyre. A strengthened wheel can be used so that the limiting factor is the load capacity of the tyre. This particular bicycle adaptation requires; the chain to be lengthened, the brackets for the rear break to be moved, and the brake rods to be lengthened. The frame does not have to be cut or modified in any way. Figure 4: Construction of extension for a standard bicycle Extended cycle user (ITDG design). W Aloysius Fernando, cultivator of mainly plantains & peanuts, sells peanuts in nearby towns. With the extended cycle, he can now transport enough to meet demand (1200 packets as oppose to 400 packets on original bicycle). With increased business earnings he began to cultivate a larger area of land and could hire a peanut shelling machine. Wheel moved by 250 mm Carrier Bolt to Frame Wheel support frame Bolt to bicycle 800 250 Support stays Figure 3: Extended bicycle Bicycles
The advantages of a small rear wheel are; there is more space for the load, the load is lower and easier to balance, the wheel is stronger, and the bicycle is easier to pedal. The main disadvantage is that the smaller wheel does not ride as easily over pumps and potholes. Figure 5: Construction of extension with small (20) rear wheel Bicycle taxis The Bicycle taxi or Boda boda has become popular in Uganda and kenya, they operate for hire fromstands in towns, bus stops and market centres. The name boda bodas is said to come from hthe time when the East African Community existed and there was free movement across the boarder between Uganda and Kenya. Travellers were offered transport to the boarder by bicycle-riders shouting Border Border to attract passengers. Converting a bicycle to a taxi requires reinforced forks, stronger brakes, a passenger seat and footrests, and cushions. New seat designs enable woman to ride side-addle should help to improve access. Although the work is hard, the operators can earn a living despite a lack of formal education. The community transport organisation in Ndhiwa and The Kibos Cycle Taxi Association of Kisumu, Western Kenya has worked in conjunction with ITDGs Rural Transport programme in Western Kenya to: Enhance the safety of bicycle taxis. Provide a cycle lane along the Kibos road Set up a mini-medical insurance scheme for passengers and operators Provide a credit scheme and repair fund for the members Carrier & container Bolt to bicycle frame at these points Support bar Carrier & container Support stays
IFRTDs address is shown below.
| License | CC-BY-SA-3.0 |
|---|---|
| Cite as | "Bicycle (Practical Action Technical Brief)". Appropedia. 2007–2026. Retrieved October 3, 2026. |