"One cannot spur a capitalistic economy by giving things away. Giving things away actually damages an economy."
By giving new life to used bicycles, David Schweidenback, who won a Rolex Award in 2000, is improving the lives of people in many developing countries. Pedals for Progress, the organisation he founded in 1991, has collected and exported more than 130,000 bikes – and has extended its activities to sewing-machines and new spare parts.
28
countries to which Pedals for Progress distributes bicycles
2006
year in which Pedals for Progress reached its 100,000th bicycle donation
17
number of sewing machines in Pedals for Progress' first shipment
