April 2010

Last month, David Branigan (International Programs Director), Samantha Wechsler (Executive Director) and Gwyndaf Jones (Volunteer) visited CACITA, a potential Bikes Not Bombs partner in Oaxaca, Mexico, and Maya Pedal, a long-term Bikes Not Bombs partner in Guatemala. What a powerful and productive trip!

CACITA (Centro Autónomo para la Creación Intercultural de Tecnologías Apropiadas) is an appropriate technology collective based near Oaxaca City. CACITA demonstrates the power of grassroots community organizing and development through their collaboration with community members, activist groups, NGOs, and the decentralized network of people and groups in solidarity with the people of Oaxaca. CACITA designs, fabricates and distributes appropriate technology with a focus on pedal-powered bicycle machines (bicimáquinas) and dry composting toilets. CACITA organizes participatory appropriate technology workshops and forums throughout Mexico, and demonstrates tremendous potential to support rural autonomy through appropriate technology. BNB is researching the possibility of shipping bicycles to CACITA in 2010.

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Maya Pedal is an indigenous appropriate technology NGO based in San Andres Itzapa, Guatemala that designs, manufactures and distributes bicimáquinas to people in rural communities around Guatemala. These bicimaquinas use labor-saving pedal-power to degrain corn, grind grain, shell macadamia nuts, blend shampoo, wash clothing and pump water, along with other applications. Maya Pedal is a unique integration of appropriate technology rural development, refurbished bicycle sales and an international volunteer community. Carlos Marroquin, the primary technician at Maya Pedal, is currently leading an effort to improve the efficiency of Maya Pedal operations and to increase bicimáquina marketing, production and sales. BNB is supporting Maya Pedal in this process by providing ongoing technical assistance in marketing and business administration, and by connecting Maya Pedal to resources that can build the capacity of the organization to be operationally effective and financially sustainable. Maya Pedal recently received a container of bikes from BNB, just before our visit, and BNB will ship another container of bikes to Maya Pedal in 2010.