About

Bicycles For Humanity Melbourne is a completely volunteer run, grass roots registered charity organisation focused on the alleviation of poverty through sustainable transport in the form of a bicycle.

Every year around 1.5 million bikes are sold across Australia. It is estimated that around half of these will end up unused or abandoned. We put this huge resource to work in some of the poorest countries in the world.

Our Mission

By unlocking the value in recycled bicycles, Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne enables a sustainable model which improves access to basic human needs within African communities.

Our Values

Empowerment

We make a difference by creating sustainable futures and developing individuals within our volunteer network, international communities and partner organisations.

Integrity

We strive to be socially, environmentally and economically responsible, ethical and respectful in all we do.

Connection

We enjoy collaborating with volunteers, supporters and partners around the world to make a lasting and positive impact.

Our Statistics

Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne Statistics Years in Operation Shipping Containers Packed Bicycles Donated Bicycle Shops in Namibia

Our History

Bicycles for Humanity (B4H) is a global grass-roots movement founded in Canada, established with the goal of making a life-changing difference in developing countries by providing bicycles to improve basic mobility, and hence, providing communities with easier access to education, health care and social services.

The organisation and many of its chapters maintain a strong link to Bicycle Empowerment Network, Namibia where locals are trained in mechanical and business skills and the container is then converted into an independent workshop or eBox (formally known as Bicycle Empowerment Centre, BEC) to create ongoing and self-supporting local networks. There are now more than 30 established eBoxes in Namibia alone.

In 2008, Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne was founded by Matt McCullough and Andy Gild as the first Australian Bicycles for Humanity chapter. The importance of the work of Bicycles for Humanity has been acknowledged at governmental levels with Australia’s then Governor-General, Quentin Bryce, officially opening a BEC in Namibia in 2009.

In 2018, Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne celebrated its 10 year anniversary as a charitable organisation and celebrated the milestone of sending 10,000 bicycles in support of global communities.

2022 sees 14 years since the establishment of Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne, with some 30 shipping containers sent to Namibia, Zambia, Madagascar and Botswana. In addition, we have sent bicycles to locations such as the Northern Territory in Australia and Cambodia, and maintain an association with a range of local communities throughout Melbourne. Indeed, by the end of 2022, we will have sent more than 13,550 bicycles to support the many communities and partners where bicycles make an enormous difference to people.

Our Awards

In 2022, Andy Finestone’s (Gild) volunteer contributions to Bicycles for Humanity was acknowledged with a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia (General Division) within the Australia honours system. 

“This is indeed a big honour – for doing something I am very passionate about. Creating Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne, a thriving and sustainable not for profit, definitely takes a team – and there have been (and still are!) so many fabulous people who have been involved over the almost 14 years since we got started. My friend and B4H co-founder, the late Matt McCullough, would be so proud of where we have come, the impact we have already made and excited about what lies ahead.”

Andy Finestone (Gild) OAM

We’re very proud to be part of this global movement and contributing and collaborating with those in the developing world.

Our Statement of Purpose

The Association Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne is a not-for-profit, non-political entity established and located in Australia for the sole charitable purpose of alleviating poverty by improving access to health care, education and social services where inadequate transportation is a major barrier. The means by which the Association aims to achieve its objectives in clause 3.1 include:

1. (a) collecting disused (but in working order) bicycles, spare parts, tools and accessories from Victoria, Australia;
2. (b) shipping the bicycles, spare parts, tools and accessories to communities in need in Africa;
3. (c) developing partnerships with key organisations in Australia and overseas with similar objectives;
4. (d) working with overseas partner organisations which provide logistical support, training and materials to overseas communities to achieve a similar objective;
5. (e) raising money to ensure the above actions can be carried out;
6. (f) developing financial sustainability to ensure the ongoing viability of the Association;
7. (g) carrying out the Association’s activities in a fiscally transparent manner;
8. (h) raising awareness of transport issues and the impact that lack of transport can have, in order to increase participation in the Association and the Association’s objectives; and
9. (i) do all things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of the objective in clause 3.1 or the means to attain it.

Registered Charity

Bicycles for Humanity Melbourne is an incorporated association and registered charity with ACNC and registered for fundraising within Victoria. We are completely volunteer run and governed by a board and leadership team that hold monthly meetings.