Pedal power

Old, unwanted bikes can provide poor rural children with both a cheap way of getting to school and the chance of simple adventures

CHOMPOO TRAKULLERTSATHIEN

What to do with that old, worn-out bicycle which has been in the attic for ages? Want to donate it to poor children but don't know how?

You can find the answers from the Thailand Cycling Club (TCC) which is launching a "Recycled Bicycle Project." The project aims to breathe new life into time-worn bicycles and hand them to underprivileged children in rural areas.

"Many of us have old, damaged bikes leaning against a wall at the back of the house," said Professor Dr Thongchai Panswad, chairman of the TCC and a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University's Department of Environmental Engineering.

"For us, they are just useless pieces of steel. But for needy children, these bikes, after repair, mean no more long, barefoot walks to school."

The aim of the project, explained Dr Thongchai, is to collect old bikes, repair them, and then give them to poor students whose parents can't afford new, expensive bicycles.

Dr Thongchai is a cyclist activist who has been campaigning for the use of bicycles as a "green" means of transport in Bangkok for over seven years.

"When I cycled in rural areas, I found that most of the children there had no bicycles. They had to walk barefoot for many kilometres to their schools.

"Some small children quit school all together for this reason and many skip classes on rainy days. So we would like to help make their journey to school a bit easier," explained Dr Thongchai.

He plans to donate these secondhand bicycles to poor children in Si Sa Ket, Buri Ram, Roi Et, Nong Khai, and Phitsanulok provinces.

Financial sponsorship for such a project is very difficult in this time of economic crisis, he said. For the same reason, it is difficult to expect donations of brand new bicycles.

"The best way, therefore, is to ask the public for old bikes," said the cyclist. "The children may dream of having a new bike, but they will be just as happy to get a used one. It's better than nothing."

Old or new, 11-year-old Pom of Ban Kao Kret School in rural Chai Nat province is thrilled as she waits for her first bicycle.

"I am often late for school because I walk barefoot which slows me down," she said. "Some of my friends have bikes and can get to school earlier. I asked my parents for a bicycle but they have no money. When my legs are in pain because of the long walk, they normally allow me to stay off school for a day."

According to Dr Thongchai, cycling club members who are the mechanics by profession will do the initial repairs in Bangkok. But to make the children feel more attached to their bicycle, Dr Thongchai will allow them to take part in finishing the repairs at their own school.

"Our mechanics will do the hard jobs while the children will handle minor repairs such as as fixing flat tyres and brakes," explained Dr Thongchai. "This way they will learn to treasure their belongings and see their value."

In addition, the mechanics from the TCC will train the children how to carry out simple repairs. Each school's backyard will be turned into a workshop where the children will receive step-by-step instruction from the professionals.

"The children need to be trained how to repair their own bicycles," Dr Thongchai continued. "This way they can help themselves if their bike breaks down. Bikes can become scrap metal and be of no benefit if the children don't know how to fix then."

According to Dr Thongchai, the old bikes will only be donated to schools whose teachers are committed to the recycled bikes programme.

When the pupils finish compulsory education, they must return the bikes to their school so other pupils can use them.

Apart from saving time, Dr Thongchai explained, bicycles can help broaden a rural child's world.

"A bicycle represents a child's spirit of freedom and adventure. Apart from making it easier for them to get to school, cycling helps children learn more about life. When they have their own cycle, they can journey as far as they wish," said Dr Thongchai.

Dr Thongchai recalled his childhood when he had the chance to explore on a bicycle he bought himself.

"I was adventurous at heart," recalled Dr Thongchai, who started cycling at the age of nine. "I felt so free and happy on my bike which took me to every nook and cranny of the small sois off Sukhumvit Road. I gained a lot of experience and had a lot of cycling adventures in my childhood, but back then the roads were much safer.

"My first bicycle was both loyal friend and effective vehicle, but nowadays cycling in Bangkok's traffic-choked streets is a nightmare. You cannot win over motorcyclists and car drivers who look as if they would kill each other just to squeeze into an already jammed lane," he added.

Since Bangkok is no longer a place where children can roam freely and safely on their bikes, the Thailand Cycling Club often takes its junior members on country trips, mostly to national parks in the provinces.

"The children get the chance to appreciate nature's beauty, such as the green rice fields and colourful birds, as well as the peace of rural life.

"Cycling, therefore, is a useful tool to educate our youth about Thailand's natural and cultural heritage," explained Dr Thongchai.

Apart from giving rural children a tool for transport and adventure, the Thailand Cycling Club wants the project to build a bridge of friendship between urban and rural children.

When the club has finished repairing the first 50 bicycles it will make its first trip to remote schools in the Northeast, taking along many young members.

During the trip, the TCC plans to take the big city and village children on a bicycle adventure together.

By doing so, the Bangkok children will have the chance to learn first hand about life in the countryside. They will learn to share with the less fortunate, and hopefully new friendships will blossom among the youngsters along the way, he said.

"When I take the club's young members on country cycling trips," said Dr Thongchai, smiling, "I feel very happy letting them loose in the natural surroundings. When I see their smiles, I also smile myself. Their innocent laughter brightens my day.

"Rural children should have a similar opportunity to enjoy the simple happiness of childhood."

Note : Those who want to donate old or new bicycles, or receive more details about the Thailand Cycling Club, can contact Dr Thongchai directly on 218-6669 or 252-7511.

'We Care" is a weekly series honouring people who believe in giving. You can show you care by supporting the projects featured here each week. You can also let us know about people who selflessly help others so we can honour them in these pages. Fax "We Care" on 240-3666, or call 240-3700 ext 3208 or 3212. Or browse our 'WE CARE' internet webpage for more charity organizations.