Brewery turns beer into bikes

The Social Bike Business program is being run by US NGO One Street. It creates jobs through locally manufactured transportation bicycles for disadvantaged people. Led by One Street, a global bicycle advocacy organization, the program is underway in Prague, Budapest and Los Angeles.

“We are honoured to partner with the New Belgium Brewing Company to expand our Social Bike Business program,” said Sue Knaup, Executive Director of One Street.

“Their understanding of the enormous impact bicycles can make towards climate improvement and affordable transportation choices, sets them apart.”

The New Belgium Brewing Company – founded after a bike trip in Europe – uses wind power, builds with green materials, reuses resources and has a parking lot designed for bicycles first, cars second. It also runs pro-cycling promotions such as the Tour de Fat, which aims to get people out of cars and on to bikes.

And the company’s grant making program is one of only a few outside of the bike industry that specifically favors programmess for increasing bicycling.

One Street’s Social Bike Business program tackles poverty by providing affordable, quality transportation bicycles through locally-run bicycle community centres and bike shops that serve disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

One Street has developed the replicable programme elements and helps local leaders raise the funds needed to open their bicycle community centre. At their centre, locals can take part in certification job training courses that also pertain to other business careers including business management, customer service and bicycle manufacture.