Online bicycle gear store donates to World Bicycle Relief

If you're stocking up on bicycle gear for the holidays, there's an online store where part of your purchase will provide some goodness in Africa.

Ultra cyclist Rob Lucas is launching a campaign to raise money for World Bicycle Relief from UltraRob.com, his commercial website that sells cycling and other outdoor gear.

Today through Christmas, Rob has pledged to donate 10% of his website's earnings to World Bicycle Relief, a charity that supplies bicycles to aid workers in Africa.

Ultra

Rob, who also writes the bike blog UltraRob's Adventures, is a nice fellow who was one of the first bike bloggers I corresponded with when I started BikingBis about four years ago. He's really into ultra-long-distance cycling and has competed and crewed in Race Across America, among other ultra events.

Now he hopes to tap into the generosity of a current World Bicycle Relief supporter who will match donations dollar for dollar through the end of the year.

“The money I raise will go farther. One bicycle costs only $134. It won't take much to raise funds, and every dollar adds up to make a big difference. I'm really excited about this campaign and giving the gift of a better life to these people.”

World Bicycle Relief

World Bicycle Relief was founded in 2005 by Trek and SRAM to get bicycles to areas of Sri Lanka devastated by the December 2004 tsunami. After getting 24,000 locally made bicycles delivered, it turned its attention to Africa.

In Project Zambia, World Bicycle Relief is responding to the AIDS/HIV epidemic to provide 23,000 bicycles to community home-based care volunteers, disease prevention educators and vulnerable households. They're training and equipping more than 400 bicycle mechanics in the field. This $2.9 million program will reach more than 500,000 adults, orphans and vulnerable children.

The relief organization also is building and testing a microfinancing model in Zambia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Malawi using its improved-quality bicycle.

You can help by visiting UltraRob's 60 online stores where you'll find more than 200,000 products.

You also can donate directly to World Bicycle Relief at its website.

Check out the video above to learn more about World Bicycle Relief.