UKRAINE BICYCLE PROJECT

OUR GOAL AND PURPOSE

To provide bicycles to various educators, pastors and service workers in Ukraine

We assist their transportation needs because:

• an average salary is only $75 a month
• they typically minister to 3 churches in a 50 kilometer radius
• personal visits are more necessary because telephones aren't common
• public transportation doesn't go when and where everywhere needed
• biking is 3 times faster than walking
• a bicycle used for transportation (and available for recreation) sets a good example in promoting the health of the individual and the environment in which he lives
• to have the bicycles made in Ukraine to assist the local economy as much as possible

BICYCLE DESIGN
•  The bicycle is modeled after Dutch style transportation bikes
•  Main features: 7 speed internal hub, fully enclosed chainguard, integrated lock, kickstand, and generator lights plus a rear rack with folding baskets and fenders.
•  The frame is constructed with locally made laser cut parts.

ANNUAL UKRAINE BICYCLE TOUR
Every year we take a bicycle tour somewhere in Ukraine to raise money for the project. Join us in July 2008

HOW CONTRIBUTIONS CAN BE MADE
•  Individuals can donate any amount of money, large or small
•  Companies can donate parts related to the project
•  Anybody can give bike related items that can be sold to raise money
•  Write checks to the Niles Westside SDA church. In the memo write “ Ukraine bicycle project”. All contributions of money or value of product are tax deductible and can receive a written receipt.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT
A special committee oversees the financing, planning and execution of the project.

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
•  The project started in 2000 when 250 bicycles were bought from a company in Kharkov , Ukraine . They were of a lesser quality and had outdated technology. Improvements were needed.
•  That's why we came up with a new unique model of a transportation bicycle that is durable, designed specifically for it's intent, and requires low maintenance.

GOALS
•  To make in Kiev , 75 frames and assemble them into bicycles by June of 2008
•  To raise $6,000 to complete the 75 bicycles already under construction
•  Our long-term goal: to provide another 300 bicycles
•  To maintain old bicycles already in use

OUR BICYCLE SHOP IN KIEV , UKRAINE
•  Our mechanic and framebuilder is Kostya who was a captain in a Ukrainian Army unit that evacuated Chernobyl immediately after the meltdown. Out of the 75 soldiers he commanded, he is the only one left alive. He went to Germany to have a bone marrow transplant and had an another operation in Israel. Every year he also has a blood transfusion done.



•  In July of 2005, Doug Fattic taught Kostya how to build bicycle frames in our bicycle workshop in Kiev. We felt this extra effort was in keeping with our philanthropic philosophy of helping the economy of Ukraine as much as possible.
• The shop is well equipped with Park and other bicycle tools.