Buffalo Bicycle

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$205.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

World Bicycle Relief

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Mozambikes.

Regions

Africa, South America, Southeast Asia

Manufacturing/Building Method

Buffalo Bicycle components are sourced from manufacturers who produce each part to World Bicycle Relief's specifications. The parts are shipped to facilities globally, where bikes are mass produced by trained assemblers and delivered locally.

Intellectural Property Type

Trademark

User Provision Model

Buffalo Bicycles are distributed through two key means: nonprofit programs funded by global supporters that provide the bikes for students, health workers and entrepreneurs; and social enterprise sales to organisations, businesses and individuals.

An example of their nonprofit initiatives is their education program. Built together with local Bicycle Supervisory Committees (BSCs) which consist of 10-12 community leaders, village elders, teachers, parents, and students who select bicycle recipients, enforce beneficiary contracts and monitor the sustainability elements of the program.

Distributions to Date Status

As of 2020, 500,000+ bikes have been distributed across Africa, South America and Southeast Asia.

Design Specifications

Each bike weighs ~22 kg, and has a rear carrier rack that can hold up to 100 kg. The frame, made from oversized 15 gauge steel tubing, has a dipped top tube to suit riders as young as 9. The bike is designed for compatibility with locally available spare parts. They have puncture resistant long-wear tires, heavy gauge spokes and rims.

Additional design specifications are available in the comparison PDF which can be found in the references section.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Trained field mechanics ensure access to maintenance and spare parts.

Replacement Components

The bike is designed for compatibility with locally available spare parts. World Bicycle Relief (WBR) also work to improve distribution and access of spare parts through a network of trained mechanics and local shops.

Lifecycle

Unknown

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

To provide riders with better access to education, healthcare services and economic opportunities.

Vetted Performance Status

SRI Education evaluated the impact of WBR's Bicycles for Educational Empowerment Program (BEEP) in their South Africa opportunity study. The study includes findings such as: dramatic reductions in travel time to school reported by students given the bikes; an increase in on-time arrival at school with 95% of students saying they were less likely to be late; and claims of widespread improvement in academic performance, with 88% of learners reporting improved grades. Improvements were attributed to the students having more time for studying, reduced fatigue and increased concentration.

Safety

Potential hazards include traffic accidents or pedestrian crashes, especially when sufficient training has not been received. Users should follow any bicycle helmet legislations or use PPE that has the potential to mitigate injury after a crash, or use other interventions to actively promote safe cycling.

Complementary Technical Systems

It is possible for a cart to be attached to the bicycle to transport goods. There are also a range of attachments available to be hitched to a bicycle for agricultural productivity, as well as technology that harnesses the kinetic energy of motion to produce electricity (i.e. dynamo phone chargers).

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Evaluation methods

The manufacturer engages with partners, riders and mechanics to assess whether programs achieve their intended outcomes. Impact and sustainability are measured by evaluating program usage and reviewing and monitoring project data from start to finish. For the product, they evaluate trends related to durability, cost of ownership and access to spare parts.

WBR submits yearly global impact reports, country reports and regular case studies which can be accessed in the references section.

Other Information

Global Cycling Network's videos on how a Buffalo Bicycle is built and the impact on communities.

WBR's YouTube channel shows case studies of Buffalo Bicycle users. 

More information on WBR's Bicycles for Educational Empowerment Program (BEEP).