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2005 |
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Volunteers Make Advocacy Happen Southland Hopes Take New Trails Legally Blind at 82, Bike Commuter Presses On Summer of Fun in the West Suburbs |
Namibia This issue, we look at what’s going on in Windhoek, Namibia, where Michael Linke is director of the Bicycling Empowerment Network. Organization: Bicycling Empowerment Network Namibia Number of members: Not a membership organization, but a not-for-profit company Year established: 2005 Web site: benbikes.org.za/namibia What area/jurisdiction does your organization represent: Namibia Mission: To empower historically disadvantaged Namibians through access to affordable transport, provide employment opportunities and advocate improved conditions for cyclists Describe your greatest challenge and greatest success in the last 12 months: Greatest challenge was raising the money to get started. Greatest success was the arrival in July of our first container of 350 donated bikes, parts, tools, accessories, a bicycle rickshaw and computers from the UK charity, Re-Cycle. What are the two most significant issues facing cyclists in your area: Extreme poverty and HIV/AIDS What are two of your top goals for the coming 12 months: 1.) To start community bike shops in partnership with HIV/AIDS welfare organizations for income generation and distribution of more than 2,000 bikes. 2.) To introduce the first bike lanes to the capital, Windhoek, and begin development of a sustainable transport master plan in partnership with the city council. What advice do you have for bicycling advocates? Don't be disheartened when you don't seem to be getting anywhere, and celebrate small victories. I'm one of three advocates for bicycle planning in the whole country, and it will probably be two years before we see Windhoek's first bike lanes, but at least I'm not in neighboring Angola, where you have to add landmines to the list of barriers to cycling.
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