What's unique to Bikes Not Bombs is that it combines local and international [efforts]. It's about solidarity, bringing two worlds together.

Since all the bikes are donated [to BNB in the U.S.], we only charge the head of the business for the shipping costs and a 10 percent administration fee.

Bikes have magic. I think bikes are one of the keys to human survival.

[The point is to get] the business up and running, so they have the option of staying local or continuing to buy and ship parts from the U.S.. The projects in Ghana recently paid to receive three containers of parts from the Bikes Not Bombs in the U.S.

It's important to note that we're not considered a charity, but if a project is selected as a recipient of a grant, we send the containers [of bike parts] for free.

Successes are successes and failures are failures; we've definitely had our share of both, but we're [reaching] more donors and volunteers all the time.