Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do you give away the bikes as donations? Are you a Bike Relief Agency?
2. How can a person in a country where the average income is under $2 (US) a day afford a bike?
3. What is ZamBikes and what is their relationship to Acirfa?
4. How are you going to deal with bureaucracy and other “uncontrollable forces?”
5. What is the relationship between this and spreading the gospel? Is it more than just a humanitarian project?
6. Won’t the bikes get stolen?
7. Won’t the tires pop? What if the bike breaks? Who can fix it?
8. Where do you get these bikes?
9. What does the future hold?
10. Why Zambia?

Do you give away the bikes as donations?
Are you a Bike Relief Agency?

Initially, donating the bicycles seemed to be the best option for improving and enhancing the lives of Zambian nationals. However, through experience, research, and advice from other relief organizations, we have realized that donating bicycles is not an effective long-term solution for the following reasons:

• Overcoming the mind-set of poverty: To combat dependence upon Western aid and the mind-set that one can not escape their state of poverty, we have chosen to provide the opportunity to own a bicycle through micro-financing options.
• Commodities vs. Handouts: We seek to foster the dignity attained from purchasing a commodity that is not present with a donation.
• Ownership: By supporting ownership, we indirectly encourage individuals to maintain and take pride in their bicycles.
• Sustainability: Seeking to be a fully African funded, owned, and managed organization ensures dependence upon the people of Africa rather than foreign aid.

How can a person in a country where the average income is under $2 (US) a day afford a bike?

• Strategic Partnerships with Micro-Finance Institutions: Partnerships with local Micro-Finance Institutions will ultimately allow nationals to purchase bicycles and use them as profit generating tools.
• Micro-loans: Through micro-finance a Zambian making the average income of $2/day could pay off their bike in 19 months and increase their disposable income by 40%.
• NGO Partnerships: Acirfa partners with local NGO’s to provide workers and constituents with high quality bikes.

What is ZamBikes and what is their relationship with Acirfa?

ZamBikes is the name of Acirfa's Zambian partner initiative. As an organization, Acirfa seeks to develop sustainable grassroots initiatives. This means that ZamBikes is a Zambian registered and managed organization that will serve the people of Zambia for years to come. We hope to further develop other "Acirfa-bikes" initiatives in neighboring countries as we grow.

How are you going to deal with bureaucracy and other “uncontrollable forces?”

• Zambian Managed Organization: Acirfa has garnered significant support in Zambia through strategic relationships with leaders throughout the country. Our focus on Zambian representation allows us to utilize our contacts and leverage our capabilities.
• Contact with other NGO's: Working with other charitable organizations in the area allows Acirfa the ability to draw upon their influence, connections, and experience in operations.
• Industry and Economic Influence: Government officials are recognizing the benefit of Zambikes operations to Zambian citizens.
• Faith-centered country: Described as a Christian country, Zambia is comprised of a large population of Christians with leaders who continue to seek economics, social, and spiritual improvement for the country.

What is the relationship between this and spreading the gospel? Is it more than just a humanitarian project?

• The Bicycle Pulpit: We are enthusiastic about utilizing the pulpit of a bicycle and our interactions with people to share the love of God. “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col.3:17a). We strive to be intentional and a reflection of the love of Jesus Christ in all that we do.
• Employment Ministry: Zambikes exists to disciple, empower, and encourage workers within their work week at Zambikes.
• Acirfa’s Giving Ministry: Acirfa aims to contribute to the efforts of other community projects.
• Family Impacts: By providing employment and the promise of a shorter commute time through owning a bicycle, Acirfa supports the improvement of family and community.
• Bridging the Gap: The structure of Acirfa connects business persons, the Church in the United States, the Church in Zambia, and humanitarian organizations. By pursuing global relationships we can encourage worldwide learning between the developed and underdeveloped world.

Won’t the bikes get stolen?

• Ownership: Individuals tend to care more thoroughly for items they have personally invested in. The cultural norms of Zambia further support the care and protection of individual and community possessions.
• Locks included: Acirfa provides a lock with the purchase of each bike.

Won’t the tires pop? What if the bike breaks? Who can fix it?

• ZamBikes Mechanics Team: Over fifteen highly skilled mechanics, trained by professionals from the United States and Africa, assemble and repair the bicycles.
• Warranty: All manufacturer defects are covered by a warranty and will be repaired or replaced. Additionally, repair of the first flat tire is included in the price.
• Recipient Bike Orientation: Each bike recipient is given the opportunity to attend a full day workshop to attain the skills to repair the bicycles themselves.
• Quality Bikes: Acirfa provides bicycles that match United States standards and are known for superior quality.
• Spare tube included: An additional spare tube is included in the purchase to create added value.

Where do you get these bikes?

• California Bike: Acirfa has partnered with California Bike, who sources the bike through Trek, to supply a high quality bicycles created and designed for the developing world.
• Other Prospects: Our search for more specialized bicycles for heavy load bearing has kept Acirfa in communication with other bicycle designers in order to introduce them into Zambia at the appropriate time.

What does the future hold?

• California Bike Partnership: A portion of our bicycles purchased will be supplied through the International Transportation and Development Program (ITDP) “California Bike”.
• 2,500-3,500 bikes in 2008: After the success of our first container, Acirfa is enthusiastic about providing Zambia with more bicycles and more employment.
• Land Development: Acirfa is in the process of acquiring land in order to build a fully equipped training, assembly, and distribution center outside of Lusaka.
• Manufacturing Front and Back Racks: Acirfa is currently partnering with “Child First,” a local NGO that helps street teens by employing and training them to weld bicycle racks.
• Fabricating Frames: Acirfa is exploring the possibility of fabricating customized frames in Zambia.

Why Zambia?

• Initial entry: Initially co-founders Vaughn Spethmann and Dustin McBride spent time in Zambia working in schools and orphanages. After seeing the lack of bicycles and inefficiency in transportation, bicycles in Zambia began to make sense.
• Location: Zambia borders 8 countries and is strategically located as a hub to help all of southern Africa with easy access into neighboring countries.
• Pilot Model: Acirfa, after proving the Zambikes model in Zambia, intends to continue to turn Africa around one bike at a time in nearby countries.
• More on this subject...