Dear friends of BEN
This newsletter comes to you during a period of great change and uncertainty. Every one of us has already been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the fallout from the crisis is likely to have deep and long-lasting impacts on our society and economy.
At BEN we have been carefully considering what our role should be in responding to the crisis, both now and in the coming weeks and months. Given our deep community contacts via our network of Bicycling Empowerment Centres (BECs) and other community enterprises and strong partnerships with other organisations, the Province, and the City, we believe that we are particularly well placed to make a positive contribution both now, during the lockdown phase, and in the coming weeks and months. Some of these contributions include:
Information sharing
- In the immediate term, we should be supporting community health messaging by sharing fact-checked information via our various social media channels. We have a significant, engaged online community that could benefit from this.
- We should open dialogue around the role that cycling and cycling related activities can play both now, and in the reconstruction, phase to follow.
- We should share insights from other parts of the world.
- We can use our platforms and training content to encourage people to develop their skills during the lockdown.
- We can use our messaging to mobilise support for relief efforts and to secure resources to allow us to continue our work.
Disaster relief
As the lockdown continues challenges around the effective distribution of food and medicine are likely to emerge. Given our network of community mechanics and BECs, BEN needs to be in regular contact with the relevant authorities to understand where these stress points are, and if there is a role that BEN and our network of community-based resources can play in resolving these issues. In order to be effective in this role, BEN will need to reach out to our partners in Government to open up channels of communication and to make them aware of the resources at our disposal. Possible interventions could include:
- Distribution of meds to vulnerable families,
- Distribution of food to those who are incapacitated,
- Supporting neighbourhood watches and other law enforcement groups,
- Providing non-motorised transport options for essential workers.
Advocacy
The current lockdown gives us a good opportunity refine and improve our cycling advocacy messaging, both in terms of promoting the use of bicycles as a response to COVID19, but also promoting the development of a cycling economy as a long-term strategy to boost economic and community development. We should use this time to source and develop new and innovative advocacy content and approaches that we can use post lockdown.
Strengthening our capacity to deliver and building organisation
While much of the emphasis in the coming months will be on the role that BEN can play in supporting and rebuilding communities, we need to ensure that we ourselves weather this storm to be able to play this role. We will need to pay particular attention to fundraising and securing the resources we need to operate effectively. We will also need to ensure that we operate as efficiently as possible and that we make the best use of our human and other resources. Communication and ongoing review and self-correction will be important during this phase.
Supporting our community networks
It is clear that the lockdown will have a huge impact on many aspects of our society and economy. The same is certainly true for our network of BECs and other community cycling mechanics/businesses. We are currently exploring ways that we can support these groups once the lockdown ends including the provision of free bicycles, subsidised pricing, marketing and outreach drives, capacity development and upskilling, fundraising support etc.
Making our resources available during the post lockdown phase
Given our experience, current resources, community connections and strong partnerships, we have a potentially huge role to play in the post-lockdown period. It is important that those coordinating recovery efforts are aware of our offering and of our willingness to assist. During this time we should prioritise the sharing of this information to other organisations including various provincial government departments (Premier’s Office, Transport, Health, Community Safety, Education, Culture and Sport etc.). We need to do our best to ensure that channels of communication are opened with these groups so we can adequately understand and respond to their needs, and that they are aware of the assistance we can provide.
Strengthen partnerships and collaborative interventions
From experience we know that we are much more effective when working in partnerships with like-minded individuals and organisations. During this period, we must be careful to continue with this collaborative mindset. All of the major cycling NGOs and organisations will find themselves under pressure. We need to tackle these challenges together. In the post lockdown phase, we will all need to adapt to the circumstances and review our roles and activities accordingly. For example, organisations that normally focus heavily on events may need to temporarily redirect their focus towards development and community interventions. It is important for us to communicate with each other to best spread the collective resources that we have at our disposal to; a. ensure that we can have the strongest possible impact in helping communities recover in the short-term, and b. ensure that we work in such a way to ensure that our capability as organisations is preserved to that we can continue making the positive impacts that we make in terms of cycling advocacy in the longer-term.
We need your help
In order to continue that work that we have been doing, and in order to be effective in supporting efforts around COVID-19, we need all the help we can get. We would like to appeal for your assistance during this difficult time. Please consider donating your unused cycling equipment so that we can put it to good use. Kindly considering volunteering time and skills during the post-lockdown period. Please also consider assisting us with financial support to that we can continue with our important work. Our bank details are:
Bicycling Empowerment Network
First National Bank
Branch 200409, Tokai
Current Account: 6203 4204 082
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ
Alternative to you contribute here: https://www.benbikes.org.za/contribute/
Despite the difficult times we find ourselves in, it is important and refreshing to look back at some of the initiatives that we have been involved in in recent times!
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CTCT - Louis de Waal
does it again!
Louis de Waal, you are our superhero!!!!!!
Not only has Louis contributed tremendously to the City of Cape Town from an engineering point of view prior to starting BEN, but has tirelessly promoted cycling for all. Well done on completing your 42nd consecutive Cape Town Cycle Tour (CTCT). Louis de Waal is the co-founder of BEN and has spent the past 18 years of his life working with the City and other organisations to make improvements to bicycle mobility in and around Cape Town.
Louis set out, determined to cycle on his own bicycle (last year he rode tandem). He was in good hands as his son, Anton, and CEO of BEN, Tim Mosdell, rode tandem alongside him. Louis admits that the best part of the tour was sharing a few beers with friends in the VIP tent! Louis is one of just five people who have completed every Cycle tour since it began. We are SUPER proud of you Louis!
If you or your company are inspired by his achievements, consider making a contribution to BEN as we continue to promote sustainable mobility through the use of a bicycle.
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New BEN Corporate Video
We have an exciting new BEN corporate video which briefly summarises what we do at BEN (Bicycling Empowerment Network). Please take 3 minutes out of your valuable time to watch this inspiring video. Please feel free to share the or the link – share the love!
https://youtu.be/Tq5KSKTm4m4
We would like to thank Warren and his team at LIFEbrand who helped us put this video together.
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Spreading the love
on Valentine’s Day at Mokone Primary School
One of our key focus areas at BEN is safety training. On 14th February we held a “Cool Kid on a Bike” safety training session at Mokone Primary School in Langa. We are excited at the prospect of following this up by handing over bicycles to the school in the near future.
This is a partnership between BEN and PPA via the Bike4All project, and Mokone Primary School. Hear what one of the learners had to say…..
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=223128795484718
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Thank You City of Cape Town…..
In January we were ecstatic to receive a “truck load” of our printed bicycle safety training booklets.
The printing of the booklets was made possible under the City of Cape Town - Munich Climate Partnership grant fund. The partnership was formalised under the 50 Municipal Climate Partnerships programme in 2014-2015. In 2016 the cities jointly secured German donor funding for a set of climate action related projects, including a set of Cycling focused projects. The City of Cape Town Sustainable Energy Markets Departments was responsible for managing the partnership and assisted Munich with the application and management of the funding. The City’s Transport Directorate was responsible for the implementation of the cycling actions.
The implemented actions/projects included:
- The procurement of Cycling visibility bibs, and associated
distribution planning
- Printing of educational booklets (the Cycling booklets)
- Concept Design for NMT Facilities along the Kuils River Corridor
We would like to thank and acknowledge the donors - The funding agency Engagement Global gGmbH/Service Agency Communities in One World (SKEW) and the funder German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and obviously the City of Cape Town for the much needed safety booklets.
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Bicycle Mechanic training in Langa
In February 2020 our Workshop Manager, Solly Jones, was out at Ekhaya Le Langa, Langa, empowering Mbulelo De Preez and Ntsikelelo Ntshweng with bicycle mechanical skills. Both these gentlemen will be taking care of the fleet of bicycles that were handed over to Ekhaya Le Langa late last year.
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Auction Time ……
On the 29th February 2020 we held a BEN Dinner/Dance auction. Special thanks to all our guests who attended and bought tickets, BEN supporters, and staff. The auction was held at the Milnerton Italian Club. An extra special shout out goes to all the sponsors who made this event possible. We were very grateful for your generosity which made the evening a great success.
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Guests were wined, dined and entertained by the amazing Plumsong.
The fabulous Suga from HeartFM hosted the show and we had the very experienced Joey Burke, handling the event. THANK YOU for all the support. BEN truly appreciates it and will continue to sustain mobility through the use of a bicycle.
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One of the successes of the evening was the Bike4All pledge. This was inspired by partners Ciovita who donated 10 Bike4All’s with profits they collected with the sale of their Christmas cycling shirts. This heartfelt video, which was kindly put together by Tim Clarke Productions explains the project and how we managed to get a further 10 Bike4All’s pledged by generous guests on auction evening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANw05wXGsaw&fbclid=IwAR2gwUMv2JTO6xUT6lh4q1kg-9uo4RwCw2dLD9SZf1sl-XvejxYuf4NQfQQ
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Helmet creativity
We sent out an appeal challenging budding artists to design helmets
for our auction which took place on 29th February 2020.
Iconic Collective and Collective.org stepped up to the plate and blew us
away with their spectacular designs.
In true Collective fashion, they were nothing but excited to be a part of this wonderful initiative. It was a labour of love motivated by the spirit of giving back to something close to our hearts. Please watch this video of how they have transformed the helmets. We are happy to report that the helmets bought in R5000 on our auction evening. Well done Iconic Collective and Collective.org students!
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1093184737698581
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Build up to Cape Town Cycle Tour 2020
Meet Jimmy James Esterhuizen, our BEC in Ocean View - a man who grew up in Ocean View and like everyone else in the community has a family, works hard and has a dream to raise children in a safe space, carefree and loving environment. One of Jimmy James’s dreams was to organise a woman’s cycle club – he not only did this but set a goal for 9 ladies from the community to cycle the Tour in just 3 months training. Well done to these remarkable women who cycled, and completed their 1st cycle tour.
Ocean View ladies wore black arm bands on the day of the #CTCycleTour2020 in solidarity with the current plight in their beautiful community. I’m sure you will continue to enjoy your cycling in years to come. Jimmy James inspires not only woman but many children in the community, encouraging children to cycle on the BMX track at his premises. This keeps the children from opening themselves to gangsterism and drug related activities. Keep up the great work Jimmy James. We are extremely proud of how your serve your community in Ocean View.
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More Masiphumelele Cycle Tour news……..
The Cycle Tour runs through Masiphumelele and many children and people in the community cheer on the cyclists. We were proudly partnered with MCC Masi 750 Sports Club (former SA Cricketer Vince van der Bijl), Masi High School, Ukhanya Primary with the handover of 14 Bike4All’s to learners from the community and schools to cycle the Cape Town Cycle Tour. This project would not have been possible without the dedication of the diligent coaches from the schools, who set out a training program and assisted these learners with many hours of training.
Well done to you all.
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BEN “bicycle repair hub” at Cycle Tour
No Cape Town Cycle Tour will be the same without our BEN “bicycle repair hub” on Suikerbossie hill. This year was particularly busy with many cyclists in need of bicycle mechanics on route. Special THANK YOU goes out to Solly and Jason, who love being part of the cycle tour vibe. Keep up the BEN spirit!!
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The Provincial Sustainable Transport Programme (PSTP) has begun……..
The Provincial Sustainable Transport Programme, run by the Department of Transport and Public Works, includes a Bicycle Distribution Programme. The first phase of this work is a set of pilot bicycle distributions in the Swartland and Overstrand municipalities. These distributions will focus of improving scholar mobility and supporting community safety initiatives.
In March, Malmesbury Eagle Eye, Chatsworth NHW, and Abbotsdale NHW all received bicycles to assist in providing security services to the local community. The project was facilitated by the Department in collaboration with the Department of Community Safety, the Swartland Municipality, and the Bicycle Mobility Consortium (Qhubeka, BEN, and PPA).
Bicycle safety classes are an important and imperative part of the PSTP. Three schools in Malmesbury and one in Darling will be receiving bicycles at the beginning of the new school term, and went through bicycle safety classes in March 2020. The programme, run by the Department of Transport and Public Works, makes sure every learner is equipped with personal, road and bicycle safety before they receive their bicycles. The project was facilitated by the Department of Community Safety, the Swartland Municipality and the Bicycle Mobility Consortium (Qhubeka, BEN and PPA).
After the lockdown, the programme will resume in the Overstrand area.
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Get to know your Bicycle Mechanics!
During lockdown - why not learn more on how to maintain and repair your bicycle. We have 81 new useful YouTube videos, compliments of Park Tool on our website. These are just some of the skills you can learn.....
- How to fix a broken chain
- Bicycle pedal removal and installation
- How to fix a flat tyre on a bicycle
- How to adjust your bicycle derailleur
- How to remove and install bottom brackets - cup and cone
- How to Wash a Bike
- How to Size a Bicycle Chain
- Crank Type Identification
For useful information visit our website on https://www.benbikes.org.za/know-your-mechanics/?fbclid=IwAR02bUGI_CSSrz-FJZQI-Ytl1ptwMTgnfKWXKtcejDYtx2IjdBuG2K71tsU
Bicycling Empowerment Network supports the South African Government on their decision to LOCKDOWN for the next few weeks but as a nation we now need to stand together to stop the spread of the COVID 19 virus.
For updates on Covid-19 visit https://sacoronavirus.co.za/
Take care and be safe!
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