More than 150 decommissioned fleet bicycles belonging to Stellenbosch University (SU) were recently repurposed and donated to rural communities with transport issues.
This is according to Dr Therese Fish, vice-dean of clinical services and social impact at SU’s faculty of medicine and health sciences (FMHS).
Over the past month, these bicycles were distributed throughout “the Western Cape region, particularly rural communities where transportation barriers significantly impact access to education and healthcare services”, through an initiative called Operation Maties Bikes, said Fish, in correspondence with SMF News.
The bicycles were previously part of the Matie Bikes Project at SU, which aimed at providing transportation solutions for university students and staff, according to Fish.
A fleet of the Matie Bikes at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) department of transport. A decommissioned fleet of bicycles is now being donated to non-profit organisations, rural schools, and university students to drive social change in the Western Cape region. This is according to Dr Therese Fish, vice-dean of clinical services and social impact at SU’s faculty of medicine and health sciences (FMHS). PHOTO: Aubrey Phungo
The bicycles were donated to Worcester RK Primary and Esselenpark Secondary School, both located in Worcester; non-profit organisations (NPOs) working with Western Cape Health and Wellness to support community health workers; and university students at rural training sites, according to Fish.
Bicycles maintained for safety
The SU department of transport supported the idea of repurposing decommissioned Matie Bikes when Fish and Dr Leslie van Rooi, the senior director of the department of social impact and transformation, proposed it, according to Neeren Jugernath, director of transport services at SU commercial (SUNCOM).
“It was a natural decision to donate them freely, in support of the communities who needed it most,” said Jugernath, in correspondence with SMF News. “Transport services conducted inspections and some basic maintenance to prepare the fleet for transfer.”
“The biggest challenge was ensuring that the donated bicycles were still in a condition that would make them safe and practical for everyday use in rural areas,” said Jugernath.
A signpost at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) department of transport, guiding a way to the Matie community service and vehicle pool. This is also where the Maties Bikes are stored and maintained before being distributed to rural communities, according to Neeren Jugernath, director of transport services at SU commercial (SUNCOM). PHOTO: Aubrey Phungo
“The bicycles are being given permanently to the recipients. There are no conditions requiring them to be returned after a certain period,” said Fish. “This permanent transfer ensures that the communities can fully integrate the bicycles into their long-term planning and operations.”
There are several components to carry the initiative forward, including the Pedal Forward Programme, which serves as a research project to test and analyse the effects and potential benefits of bicycles on school children, said Fish.
“Schools like Worcester RK Primary are establishing cycling clubs and providing opportunities for learners to develop mechanical skills for bicycle maintenance,” said Fish.
Bicycles to empower learners
Hubert Titus, the principal of Worcester RK Primary, aspires to establish a cycling club at the school, according to deputy principal Cecil Felix.
“We received 20 bicycles and will be using them [to teach] learners to ride, giving them a new sense of freedom,” said Felix, in correspondence with SMF News. “These bicycles will improve learners’ attendance, as well as fitness levels of our learners.”
The Old Lückhoff School building, where the transformation office of Stellenbosch University (SU) is located. Dr Leslie van Rooi, the senior director of the SU department of social impact and transformation, and Dr Therese Fish, vice-dean of clinical services and social impact at SU’s faculty of medicine and health sciences (FMHS), proposed the idea of repurposing Matie Bikes for social impact by donating the bicycles around the Western Cape region. PHOTO: Aubrey Phungo