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News Archive
Planet Bike Puts "Planet" in Their Advocacy Work with $5,000 Grant to World Bicycle Relief on Aug 30, 2010
by Katie Bolling, Grassroots Manager for World Bicycle Relief
Chicago, IL -August 30 -- Madison, Wisconsin based Planet Bike has a history of commitment to making innovative, high quality, and practical bicycle accessories. They also have an equally impressive commitment to making communities friendlier places for the self-propelled. By donating 25% of company profits to causes that promote and facilitate bicycle usage, Planet Bike is living up to the Gandhian creed: "Be the change that you want to see in the world."
To date, the majority of Planet Bike's support has been within the United States; but, the company has recently adopted a more global mindset and put the "planet" in its advocacy work. Planet Bike has become the latest bicycle industry friend to support World Bicycle Relief's mission to provide access to independence and livelihood through the power of bicycles.
When asked what prompted Planet Bike's decision to include World Bicycle Relief in their community work, Planet Bike's Advocacy Director Jay Ferm explained that, "Planet Bike was founded on the idea that the bicycle is a simple solution to many complex problems. For over thirteen years we have been supporting the bike movement primarily in the US. World Bicycle Relief is a way for us to reach the rest of the planet. Through World Bicycle Relief we hope to immediately improve the lives of people in Africa and elsewhere while laying the foundation for a truly global bicycle advocacy movement. Many developing societies look to the US as their model for development. As an example, some cities in China have actually banned bicycles from roads to make room for cars. By promoting the bicycle in developing societies we not only help people today, we lay the groundwork for a sustainable and equitable global transportation system tomorrow."
World Bicycle Relief would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Planet Bike's dedication to our mission. They are not just putting the "planet" into their advocacy work; they are putting The Power of Bicycles in the hands of those who need them most.
World Bicycle Relief's mission is to provide access to independence and livelihood through the power of bicycles.
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