A well-functioning bicycle market system benefit individuals and households to overcome mobility challenges and be more productive, leading to livelihood improvements and new economic opportunities. However, the market system depends on more than the just the availability of affordable and quality bicycles. Bicycle maintenance and spare parts are necessary elements that ensure that owners are able to use their bicycles over the long-run.

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The USAID Bicycles for Growth (BFG) project is working towards a strengthened bicycle market system in Ghana by piloting an initiative to train bicycle mechanics from rural communities in Ghana’s Northern Region to better understand approaches that bring valuable skilled maintenance services to rural users and extend spare parts supply chains further into communities. During the week of March 28, BFG and local project partners Village Bicycle Project and HOPin Academy led training for 25 mechanics in Tamale. Training sessions focused on both the core bicycle repair and maintenance skills to ensure effective service delivery and complementary business skills that provide the basis for improved livelihoods.

BFG will continue supporting these trained mechanics through refresher trainings and experience exchange sessions over the next three month. Ongoing monitoring will inform project learning around the approach and its benefits.

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