The power of bicycles

Daniel Blackham catches up with Ben Sadler, managing director at World Bicycle Relief UK to discuss a busy year for the charity.

How has 2024 been so far for World Bicycle Relief?

This has been a landmark year for World Bicycle Relief. In addition to launching the Buffalo Bicycle Utility S2 at Eurobike, where it won the Gold Award in the Bicycle Category, we’ve made significant strides in expanding our Mobilised Community Programmes.Through new partnerships with development organisations and government ministries in our programme countries, we are scaling our impact across education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.

These collaborations are allowing us to reach more communities and provide bicycles that serve as essential tools for access to critical services. The combination of groundbreaking product innovation and expanded partnerships is propelling us toward our goal of increasing mobility for those who need it most.

What have been some of the highlights?

Beyond the launch of the Buffalo Bicycle Utility S2, we’ve signed major partnerships with government ministries and development partners in countries across Africa and Latin America to extend our impact in key sectors such as education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.

These partnerships are enabling us to put more bicycles into the hands of students, health workers, and small business owners, helping them overcome transportation barriers and improve their access to opportunities.

Additionally, the industry recognition we received at Eurobike for the Utility S2 underscores how far we’ve come in delivering innovation that directly meets the needs of underserved communities.

Another highlight came earlier this year at the Cape Epic Race in South Africa where Nino Schurter and Sebastian Fini raced as Team World Bicycle Relief. Nino and Fini had a few podium finishes during the race and helped to raise funds and awareness for our mission.

How long had the Buffalo Bicycle Utility S2 been in the works before its launch at Eurobike?

The Buffalo Bicycle Utility S2 was developed over two years of rigorous testing and refinement. We collaborated with industry leaders like SRAM, Trek, Giant, and Karasawa to develop an innovative 2-chain drivetrain system that could withstand harsh conditions while remaining easy to maintain.

The two-year development process included extensive field testing in Sub-Saharan Africa and South America, with input from riders who face the challenges of long distances and rugged terrain daily.

Their feedback was invaluable in shaping the final product, ensuring that the Utility S2 is not only technically advanced but also highly functional for real-world conditions.

Why was the unique collaboration with SRAM, Trek, Giant Group, and Karasawa so crucial?

The collaboration with SRAM, Trek, Giant, and Karasawa was crucial in bringing cutting-edge cycling technology to a context where durability and simplicity are essential.

The development of the industry-first 2-chain drivetrain, along with the patented AK2 freewheel system, required deep technical expertise from SRAM, while Trek and Giant brought invaluable insights into design and manufacturing. Karasawa played a key role in refining components for rugged environments.

This multi-industry collaboration enabled us to deliver a bike that offers sophisticated engineering in a low-maintenance package—perfect for the challenging conditions in the regions where we work.

These partners, typically focused on high-end cycling technology, applied their skills to a product that is making a tangible difference in the lives of underserved populations.

What were some of the challenges in the design phase?

The main challenge in the design phase was creating a drivetrain that could deliver the benefits of multiple gears without the maintenance issues often associated with traditional multi-speed systems. We needed a solution that would be robust enough for heavy loads and rugged terrain, yet simple enough to maintain in remote areas with limited access to spare parts.

The result was the innovative 2-speed, 2-chain drivetrain, which uses a backpedal mechanism to switch between gears. This system gives riders the flexibility of multiple gears without the complexities of derailleurs, ensuring long-term reliability even in the harshest environments.

Balancing innovation with practicality was key, and the extensive field testing allowed us to refine the bike’s performance to meet the needs of our users.

What has been the reaction from the industry and some of the early users of the Buffalo Bicycle Utility S2?

The reaction from both the cycling industry and early users has been overwhelmingly positive. Industry leaders have praised the technical innovation of the 2-chain drivetrain and the AK2 freewheel system, recognising the Utility S2 as a groundbreaking product for addressing mobility challenges in underserved regions.

Early users, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa and South America, have highlighted the ease of use and the bike’s ability to carry heavy loads while navigating difficult terrain.

The feedback has been particularly strong around the simplicity of the backpedal shifting system, which offers a durable, low-maintenance solution to gear shifting—critical for the environments where we operate.

Can you give us an overview of some of the other campaigns?

In addition to the Buffalo Utility S2 launch, we were excited to introduce the Building the Buffalo documentary film, which offers an inside look at the innovation and collaboration behind the Buffalo Bicycle. The film showcases how we’ve worked with partners like SRAM, Trek, and Giant to bring this groundbreaking product to life and its profound impact on the communities we serve.

Additionally, our Pedal to Empower campaign raised over $1.1 million this year, enabling us to provide more bicycles to students, healthcare workers, and entrepreneurs in underserved regions.

These efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to expanding access to reliable transportation and empowering people through the Power of Bicycles.