About Wheels 4 Life

How It Works:

Wheels 4 Life is a non-profit charity (501c(3)), that provides bicycles to people in great need of transportation throughout the developing world. We work with volunteers in the field, local organizations and non profits, schools, community leaders and health care clinics they help us identify those people in genuine need of a bike. These people are those that live in both primative and remote areas, with no access to, nor the means of affording public transportation. The closest school, doctor, or work place might be as far as 10 to 20 miles away.The gift of mobility can make all the difference to a person’s life and help them to break out of the vicious cycle of poverty.

Through an application process, Wheels 4 Life carefully selects those who will receive bicycles. Our Voluntary Project Leaders (VPL) provide us with reports with photos and receipts for the bicycles they have purchased on our behalf. Every bicycle is marked “Wheels 4 Life” and numbered, that number is assigned to the new owner and this is logged next to their name, age, occupation and village. An agreement is signed whereby the VPL guarantees that bicycle riding, safety and basic mainenance instruction will be given. The bicycles may not be re-sold, however, we do encourage sharing them with family and community members.

Currently a bicycle costs aprroximately $150 and an ambulance bike, $300. Mostly we purchase the bicycles in the countries where our projects are located. This has three-fold benefits; firstly we help the local economy, secondly, it is much easier to find replacement spare parts and thirdly, we save money on costs such as shipping, handling and import duty.

Carmen and Hans Rey believe that something as simple as a bicycle can have a profound and life changing positive effect on someone’s life. Whether it is a child that can now travel to school, or the farmer that can now bring a larger load of produce to the market, or the nurse that can visit many more patients, the difference a bicycle can make is quite incredible. Behind each person that received a bicycle, a chain of events has occurred and allowed this to happen. Somewhere along the line, someone like you has played their part. Thousands of people in over 30 countries have benefited from a Wheels 4 Life bicycle.

A person can travel four times farther, four times faster and with four times the load, with a bicycle than on foot. There is a need for millions more bicycles.

n=There are many ways to help; donations are very much appreciated, or hold a fundraiser, or simply spread the word, that to give a bike can change a life. Not only that, a bicycle can save lives too.

Beacuse everyone that works with Wheels 4 Life, works on a voluntary basis, we can ensure that 90% of donations go towards buying bicycles. We thanks all of our supporters, those that donate, those that fundraise, those that invest their valuable time and those that do all three; all to help people that they may well never actually meet. We thank you all for choosing Wheels 4 Life and joining us in our work to provide as many bicycles as we can, let’s change lives and give bikes.

Donations are gratefully received and tax deductible.

Volunteers:

For volunteer info or services please contact us via email

Boardmembers:

Hans Rey (Executive Director)
Michelle Veyna (Chairman of the Board)
Carmen Rey (Treasurer, Secretary)
Bryan Cole
Scott Robinson
Mark Peterman

Financial Information:

501(c)3 Non Profit Status Confirmation

Tax filings: 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022

total bikes delivered

TOTAL BIKES DELIVERED:

18,252

(As of Nov 9 2023)

Videos

Mexico Project 2022
Kilimanjaro: Mountain of Greatness

Hans Rey, Danny MacAskill and Gerhard Czerner head out on the mountain bike journey of a lifetime. Facing intense altitude challenges and health risks, this team sets out to be the first to conquer the two highest mountains in Africa back to back on a bike, Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro

Other Ways You Can Help

Buy The Wheels 4 Life DVD

Wheels 4 Life - The Film - A Story About Giving is now available for $10 (plus S & H). The documentary film, narrated by John McEnroe, chronicles our Wheels4Villages projects in Tanzania, over the period of 14 month.
Watch the TrailerBuy the DVD 

Featured Project

EFTC Foundation

Education for the Children (EFTC) is an international NGO based in Guatemala. Wheels4Life has worked with EFTC on several projects, including the delivery of over 100 bikes.
More