The #BikesForUkraine campaign emerged to increase the mobility of volunteer workers during the war in Ukraine, by providing bicycles to deliver urgent humanitarian aid, food and medication. As the conflict reaches day 688, the #BikesForUkraine initiative has already delivered 1574 bicycles to over 60 Ukrainian communities.

Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine has left transport infrastructure devastated. Urgent food, medical supplies, and public transport are scarce, making traditional humanitarian aid delivery challenging, if not impossible, in some conflict zones. With a reported 6.5 million people displaced in the country, facilitating innovative ways of travel is critical.

As a result, moving by bike has quickly become an indispensable means of transport.

A report issued by the European Parliament claims that up to 30% of Ukraine’s transport networks have been damaged to varying extents since the invasion began in February of 2022. Border closures have accelerated transportation issues, blocking urgent supplies from reaching those in need. Figures from the Ukrainian Ministry for Transport have reported the destruction of seven airports, 144,000 km of roads, 1,242 bridges and almost 6,300 km of railways. Recognising this issue, the #BikesForUkraine campaign was brought together, with the aim of restoring mobility and delivering aid to those in need.

Ukrainian communities brought together by bikes

Thanks to the international community’s support, over €30,000 or UAH 1,228,127 has been raised for the #BikesForUkraine campaign. Beyond the numbers, the campaign organisers emphasise: “Away from the frontlines, many of our beneficiaries use bicycles as a means of psychological relief.” The campaign has enabled the Chernihiv police to safely patrol the city, social workers to provide essential humanitarian aid, allowed doctors to travel to work, and children to ride to school.

In the images above, as taken from the campaign’s Instagram page, are real-life examples of local families supported by the campaign. From eight-year-old Sofia to the City of Barvinkove’s children's cycling club, the campaign is working on the ground to provide critically important services.

The campaign is a collective effort organised by ECF member; U-Cycle (Kyiv Cyclists’ Association), and five other Ukrainian NGO’s: Eco Misto (Chernihiv), Youth Association Extreme Style (Sumy), Urban Reform (Kharkiv), FORZA (Uzhhorod), VeloVector (Odesa).

Functioning entirely on a volunteer basis, the allocation of funds is divided as follows; 30% of monetary donations are spent on buying new bikes in Ukraine, 20% on components and repairs, 40% on logistics and warehouses and 10% on promotional materials. Additionally, monetary donations allow the necessary transport of bicycles to beneficiaries throughout Ukraine.

Urgent call to action in 2024

The campaign has reached a critical point in 2024 as the budget is now exhausted, and organisers are trying to raise funds to continue the campaign until at least September 2024.

With a capacity to process only half of the bike requests received and a waiting list for 1,500 bikes, the organisers of the #BikesForUkraine campaign are issuing an urgent call to action to continue their work.

The call to action is a fundraising target of €3,740 or 150 thousand hryvnias as a basic budget for the first three months of 2024. Your support for the #BikesForUkraine campaign makes a difference, enabling Ukrainian people to become more mobile and, in turn, saving lives.

Join the cause and show your support:

In this turning point for the fundraising campaign, here is how you can show your support:

• Independently purchase bicycles abroad or in Ukraine and transfer them to U-Cycle
• Collect and repair used bicycles in your city and organise their transfer to Ukraine
• If you are a cycling business – donate your bicycles, accessories, spare parts, bicycle repair boxes
• Fund the purchase of bicycles in Ukraine to U-Cycle (NGO ‘Kyiv Cyclists’ Association’)

Donate now:

• (UAH) iPay for transfers in UAH
• (EUR) GoFundMe for transfers from EU countries in EURO
• (EUR, USD) Paypal: nastia.makarenko7@gmail.com

Purpose of the transfer: Bikes For Ukraine

Anastasiia Makarenko is the executive director of U-Cycle (NGO Kyiv Cyclists’ Association).

For organizations via bank details for EUR and USD:

EDRPOU 38020620

Recipient: NGO "Kyiv Cyclists Association"

Recipient's bank: JSC CB "PRIVATBANK"

Current account: UA843052990000026004016228693

Purpose of payment: Non-refundable financial support

You can find all options to help at the #BikesForUkraine landing page.

Cover photo: Volunteers deliver humanitarian aid by bikes in Chernihiv. Photo: NGO Eco Misto

In-text photos credit: #BikesForUkraine campaign