Cargo Racks Add Value to VBP Bikes

VBP has found a welder/blacksmith capable of mass-producing cargo racks (such as the one pictured) at price affordable in Ghana. 

Liz Bageant, our Women’s Programs Coordinator for Ghana found the welder before a large program for women in August.  “I kept hearing from women how important it was to be able to carry a load, and I knew the only way to get carriers was to have them made here in Ghana.”

The racks were offered for 5 cedis ($3.125) to each of the 200 women at our August 2011 programs in Upper West, Ghana.  All the carriers were purchased.  This shows us how important cargo capability is to bicycles in northern Ghana. 

At the same time we are delighted to be connecting skilled workers to a demand for a locally made product.  We hope to find or train metal workers throughout Ghana and Sierra Leone to build carriers.  We want all of our future repair program bikes to include racks. 

We subsidized the price of racks, paying 6 cedis, ($3.75) and sold them for 5 cedis. We even hope some enterprising people can see an opportunity for a business venture, and start selling racks at market rate, and use the proceeds to feed their families.