The Power of Bicycles | F.K. Day | TEDxMidAtlantic

Frederick (F.K.) Day is a long time Chicago businessman, entrepreneur and humanitarian. In 1987, Day, his brother Stan and some friends founded leading bicycle component supplier, SRAM Corporation. In 2005, immediately following the Indian Ocean Tsunami, Day and his wife Leah, with support from SRAM Corp and the bicycle industry, founded international non-profit World Bicycle Relief. Their first program delivered over 24,000 new bicycles to men, women and children in Tsunami impacted Sri Lanka.
In his TEDx talk, Day illustrates the profound transformation that takes place when a person whose primary mode of transportation is walking, is provided a bicycle.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, roughly 600 million people live in rural communities where walking is the only option for many. Every day is about racing the sun, from sunup to sundown, trying to complete the day’s work before the darkness of night. Each step is a race to overcome the barrier of distance.
Through his firsthand experience in the field with World Bicycle Relief, Day describes the quantum leap in productivity that occurs when students, healthcare workers and entrepreneurs are mobilized through the power of bicycles. He illuminates why bicycles are an overlooked development solution and why there can be a world where distance is no longer a barrier to education, healthcare and economic empowerment.
World Bicycle Relief employs over 100+ people in the US, Asia and Africa, and operates 5 bicycle assembly facilities in Kenya, Malawi, Angola Zambia and Zimbabwe. To date, over 350,000 specially designed, locally assembled bicycles have been distributed and over 1,700 field mechanics have been trained. In 2010, Day and World Bicycle Relief were named #12 on Barron’s list of the World‘s Top 25 Most Effective Givers. In 2015, Fast Company named World Bicycle Relief among its’ Most Innovative Companies for organizations working on the continent of Africa. Frederick (F.K.) Day is a long- time Chicago businessman, entrepreneur and humanitarian. In 1987, Day, his brother Stan and some friends founded leading bicycle component supplier, SRAM Corporation.
In 2005, immediately following the Indian Ocean Tsunami, Day and his wife Leah, with support from SRAM Corp and the Bicycle Industry, founded international non-profit World Bicycle Relief. Their first program delivered over 24,000 new bicycles to men, women and children in to Tsunami impacted Sri Lanka. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@Alien_nation]

Biking helped me get through the most difficult time in my life. Now it has become a way of life. It is how I fight depression and sickness.

[@baijayantighosh4391]

❤

[@renekuipers4563]

Bikking is good .I live in the Netherlands We bike everyday.

[@AFerreiraV]

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Here was a machine of precision and balance for the convenience of man. And (unlike subsequent inventions for man's convenience) the more he used it, the fitter his body became. Here, for once, was a product of man's brain that was entirely beneficial to those who used it, and of no harm or irritation to others. Progress should have stopped when man invented the bicycle. ” ― Elizabeth West

[@pupdoghero9167]

And COMPLETELY GREEN ENERGY!!!! No fossil fuels. So it's good for the earth too! I love bikes. What a great idea and such a great outcome. Thank you and God bless!

[@2552legoboy]

Very cool quote but I think people would start getting angry they couldn’t cycle faster haha.

[@Boucamouna]

How can I reach Frederick FK Day or is brother Stanley ?

[@MrCokeisme]

Bicycle is a blessing

[@megthompson5569]

XYao Bicycles speed up life! How has bicycle assisted you? It is freeing.

[@MrAlucard1964]

My 2023 Emonda SL6 e Tap saved my life. Gave me a reason to be out in public and interact with people and fellow bike riders. After medically retiring from US Army.

[@12345678932097]

Bicycles can deliver more than you think. It supports many people to reach their dreams, go back to school, and support their family. We should be grateful and cherish the bicycles we have for transportations. Bicycles will break the barriers of transportation for success.

[@Steve-nq8jc]

I'm an owner of Sram products and after this I will be supporting them even more. What a powerful presentation, it honestly made me tear up a little.

[@ericalahverdian3935]

Bicycles are a very important invention, they provide transportation for almost everyone in the world. They also help reduce pollution and keep riders in good health. 🚲🌎

[@mydogneo]

Been riding for 12 years now and each ride is brand new!!

[@dibaroozbeh]

This presentation has a very strong message. After hearing this story, we can know for sure that bicycles are saving lives and making life easier for people who do not have access to any kind of transportation. Bicycles have the power to make this world a better place 🚴🏼❤️

[@guitawrizt]

My blood pressure agrees.

[@semounaful]

Diba is my family name. Is it yours?

[@abelmkulamac.m8991]

I am Zambian and I can't agree more with what he presented. Great message.

[@niominiomi3334]

FROM AFRICA ❤🙏🙏🙏 Thank you for your dedication and service .

[@VivekKumarGupta-ju7iq]

I love cycling 🚲🚲❤️❤️❤️ although I have motorcycle and scooter, I always prefer bicycle for health reasons and environment conservation

[@zainabideen8495]

Bikes are much more than we actually think they are. They can impact the world in a positive way and help people out who dont have transportation get to placer faster than walking.

[@angellaordonez8913]

Never looking at bicycles the same again. Keep doing what you do! It’s truly inspiring. 🚴🏻‍♂️🚴🏻‍♀️🌏

[@juanpedroperaltacota1990]

I ride my bicycle here in México all the time,i carry wood, gas,water an recycle parts to sell, its a real attainment for mankind!!!!

[@lydiamachabe6219]

Bicycles is the basic means of transportation you will never miss.. bicycles help people mostly in Africa to travel four times further to visit patients.. we don’t this again to be a barrier again to those parts of Africa

[@rosedandaro1761]

Proud to be part of SRAM and that the company has this amazing program that positively impact peoples lifes.

[@annabelleleigh869]

I never thought of bicycles like this until this video. Truly grateful for bicycles and the wave of aid they grant people. So inspiring 🚲❤️🌞

[@trangvo85]

In countries where many people couldn’t afford better transportation, the only choice is walking. Bicycle connect people, get to their destination much faster than hours of walking. We couldn’t even imagine how much bicycles brighten up people’s lives in those poor countries. Thank you, Mr. F.K. Day, for your contribution to the bicycle industry and our planet.

[@strawberi690]

Bicycles are very great and were a big help. It helped with transportation and speeding up what was slowed down. It's kind how people can help out others when they are in need.

[@gavinross6132]

It seems that whenever disaster strikes organizations just want your money while the people that are suffering would so much rather prefer your ideas and dedication. Obviously not everyone can deliver like this guy did but that's what makes him so awesome. Delivering like 200,000 bikes to so many different countries, the world needs more people like him and more bikes.

[@HospitalLocksmith]

Ohh I saw the Red cross here in the US after a hurricane refuse to allow restaurants and food trucks to donate fresh food directly to the victims. they just wanted the money.

[@cedric_ly]

Yup. A lot of NGOs are just laundering money schemes. Tax free status + perfect excuse to get people's money = bad recipe.

[@velmarbyrd453]

Pk0

[@anthonyamaya1533]

The importance one object can make to an entire community is amazing!! Understanding the impact the bicycle has made in these poor countries is touching. You view and appreciate what you have because you have what many people do not in rural Africa for example!! Let’s support

[@taylorwllm]

This presentation not only shows us how poverty affects every part of daily life in rural countries but shows us how the solution to this problem in these countries are bicycles! Transportation is so important && bicycles are the best form of transportation.

[@yaritzapadilla143]

It was extremely touching watching this Ted talk. To know someone can simply bring bicycles to a countries that is in need is extremely honorable. There are young girls just like me that can not go to school because for them there is a distance of miles and miles away from their home. With the help of a bicycle they can get the education they deserve.

[@danibarros2722]

What an amazing story from F.K. It’s great to see someone who truly love his work and helping people at the same time!

[@marjankamalidashtarjandi5079]

Amazing presentation, before watching this presentation, l viewed bicycle as a tool for having fun, reducing pollution, and doing sport. However, My point of view about bicycle has changed a lot now.🚴🏻‍♀️🚴🏻‍♀️🚴🏻‍♀️🚴🏻🚴🏻🚴🏻

[@vlfit7028]

I am moved, touched and inspired by the vast positive impact of bicycle in third world countries. It promotes a healthy lifestyle and allow people to go out and explore their surroundings area

[@NotAnotherFilm]

A massively underrated Ted talk. What an amazing story!

[@justinbarton9403]

“Live a life of impact for others” is what has stuck with me after watching this video. I have never thought to much about transportation in other countries such as Africa in comparison to the United States. This impact has increased productivity in the communities that have been touched tremendously!! Great video!!!

[@euphemiaemeasong5291]

Bicycles are essential to everybody around the world.This is because using bicycles can reduce our our time wasted to accomplish our goals.

[@robinsongiron925]

This video is really inspiring !! I now see why bikes are really helpful in our world. Bikes are worth having since you could go anywhere without wasting money on gas for your car or have any accidents. Let’s all support this project and be truly grateful for bikes 🚲🙌🏻

[@stephenshaffer3481]

In order to move forward and experience new things, we must cross the distance between them and us. The bicycle has helped people not only via transportation, but also by opening up new paths to their futures.

[@francovaldivieso753]

Really shows how much of an impact there is with something as important as the bicycle and that we take it for granted. We live in a society where we’re used to having versatile transportation and don’t pay attention to things like this. A wonderful videos

[@buddypegsmedia-inthebikesh705]

An incredible example of being the change you want to see in the world! Keep up the great world FK and WBR!

[@WorldBicycleRelief]

Thanks for your support!

[@drizzydrew2585]

Like in the presentation, bicycles are used for alot of things especially in unstable financial countries. I liked how this company was able to provide and assist the people of Africa with bikes. Was also proud to see the distance gap lowered when people started using the bikes as it benefited transportation, especially for the girl that was going to school to eventually get her degree and become a doctor.

[@marnovanalvero8091]

Awesome presentation! Knowing that bicycles have such a big impact in other peoples lives gives me a better perspective on life. Very happy that all these people are getting help and making their dreams and needs closer to reach✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽

[@olivialongus2822]

It is so great to see people reach out and use their resources to help others in need. Bicycles are a good place to start and can have such a positive impact. Something we see as so basic is life changing to others.

[@shrektheeverchosen6457]

I live in America and I own a car but I don't drive, the car is for my wife, I've always walked and rode my bike everywhere, its the best thing in the world to me. I want to move though, at least to a more bike friendly city. To everyone else walking and cycling has become my identity and there is hardly a day that goes by that im not made fun of. Its sad.

[@miosis23]

they changed my life. i too, got tired of walking. met many cool folks across the western u.s. as i eventually got a job as a bike courier in a few different cities. the bicycle wheel is, to this day, one of the strongest strength to weight ratio structures ever. their dynamic design, with all the spokes pre stressed, is how a few thin steel wires can take hundreds of pounds thousands of miles. i love building them. just dust it off and ride it to work. you'll arrive ready to deal with the day, not morose and agitated. imagine- no early a.m. road rage, but a smile. if you are less than 5 miles from work you have no excuse. it's only your health and mental well being we're talking about. screw the bus, dust it off and get on it(and bring all you need to repair a flat. you'll make that mistake ONCE). i know, i know, unthinkable, out of the question, i haven't ridden a bike in god knows how lon- do it

[@Uniceb]

The presentation was very educative and it showed how Large scale bicycle program saves lives. Bicycle boost productivity,health care,education and many more. The bicycle can make transportation much easier .

[@atulfiero1]

After watching this i could not control my self to take another ride of the day on my bike, make me feel connected to my bike like a body and a soul. Sir what you are doing is simply awesome, hope all country's on this planet start a program similar to this and build infra to make bicycle as primary source to commute.

[@robertcaffrey6097]

In the developed western worlds inverted snobbery a bicycle as a means of transport is tantamount to poverty , in developing countries it is a life changer just as it was when it became an affordable mode of transport for the working classes in the late 1800s in the western world. The most efficient mode of transport ever invented and is also a huge health benefit. The 200.000 bikes delivered to the various countries must easily have made a huge difference to One Million lives, much kudos. "Big wheels keep on turning"

[@hommuside]

Bloody legend this bloke.

[@jamesconnell323]

If you want to get old, do what old people do. If you want to stay young, do what they do. Biking is a vital activity.

[@user-vh1sh1xl5k]

Buffalo bike is the most reliable bike in the world! Mr Day, thank you for your labor of love!

[@leszeksibilski1635]

Thumbs up for F.K.

[@suessewing8353]

Wow! I can I get involved in something like this here in Australia for your cause. I ride my electric bike to work nearly every day. Bikes are so important.

[@wnose]

Donate to world bike relief, an incredible organization.

[@ursoulspure]

24,000 bikes! Way to go for you and your company 👍👍

[@erikolsen6269]

truly eyeopening, if rich countries could have a bit less and these african countries a bit more, africa could be booming in the rural areas compared to today. Lets hope this ted talk has an effect

[@ARDG89]

i remember where i came from. being forced to bike 4 miles to work and 4 miles back home everyday for about 6 years. i now bike to work everyday 2 miles and 2 miles back juat because i want to when the weather is nice. it has so many benefits i cant get when im commuting in my car.

[@lulun3724]

Amazing story, I can do so much more riding a bike 🚲 than walking or even driving.

[@Zaloomination]

"Philanthropy will help people in poverty, but it won't get them out. Economics will."

[@benzminibusdoc]

.. as long as you don't identify economics purely with capitalist structure, I fully agree

[@diegovillacrez8349]

I've been a shimano fan boy, but I have a lot of respect for SRAM right now.

[@fredasamany215]

Cycling is the BEST!

[@tshadow6]

During the second half of the 1980s my bicycle helped me get through welding school. I would ride my bike to work, saving the gas in my car for getting to class. Because I had a bike, I was able to ride to work every day after my car finally died.

[@johnnysturt7394]

Very Inspiring Story

[@gasorelectric]

My company is focused on electric bicycles in Africa. This presentation is just amazing. Throws more light into something we are already considering. Thanks for the amazing work you are doing.

[@universalredguard]

Never stop cycling

[@jackelinrivera5732]

I do not see bicycles the same like Mr. FK Day said in the beginning of his history. Bicycles have changed people lives in developing countries. The transportation for them is very hard because they do not have buses or cars. Having the luxury to have a bicycle can change a family or child education for the better.

[@Marie-rv4wt]

Very inspiring. A huge thank you to F.K. and the crew for all their work. Your insight to do these programs in a scientific manner was genius! You provided facts & data to show the effect of the programs. Well done!!!! Also, thank you to TEDx for providing such stories with a stage to enlighten, educate and provide hope. Again, thank you to F.K. and the crew.

[@OriginalPuro]

Bicycle = life and love.

[@pokerchannel6991]

I like bicycling better than walking. I can get there. I often pass people who are on foot, even if they were running. I can bike faster.

[@Eec2023]

This is a great human being. Shame on our selfish ways. Good bless you sir.

[@TeKeyaKrystal]

adore this.. hope more and more places become bicycle friendly & more people have access to bicycles

[@marcosgalvao3182]

It's amazing! Bicycles are very helpful for this people !

[@PeepalBaba-Givemetrees]

wonderful 🌿🙏💕

[@Ellie-yx8ni]

Thank you for the work you do. Such an inspiring message.

[@jasong6967]

I ride bikes. Cooler than a car

[@edgardocordova5375]

Great proyects, please continue with other countries, especially in latinamerica

[@ekedini]

Thank you for helping Girls in Africa. Thank you so very much!

[@kkush8577]

Such an under rated video. Truly inspirational

[@simmonsj]

Excellent Ted talk, amazing impact.

[@johnpayne2465]

This is amazing. Focused, effective, scalable, global.

[@PeepalBaba-Givemetrees]

awesome 🌿💕🙏

[@cindirose3390]

Most inspiring biking video

[@bikenraider99]

I have a new found respect for SRAM.

[@alwahdasalym3570]

Quite encouraging video.

[@recyclespinning9839]

For right now car is king even though it is destroying our environment , which will destroy us, we are connected. Would be great if bikes could take over . Could even do a taxi service or volunteer riders to help transportation for older people who can not ride. I just dont see humans waking up and realizing we have become slaves to our cars..

[@mr.facker9131]

HE'S A LORD OF BICYCLE 👍🚴‍♂ NICE JOB DUDE 👍

[@martinjanoschek6867]

Amazing, thank you.

[@gageoakley583]

Wow, this guy is awesome

[@ashstubbings2603]

This guy said many things that had an impact on me, but the one thing he did say was regarding the 600,000 people living in Sub-Saharan Africa who relied solely on walking as their main means of transportation, and it got me thinking "600,000 people, and that's just the people who CAN walk. What about the people who can't? What difference would a Handcycle make to all those lives?"

[@phatrickmoore]

12:04 “Philanthropy will help people stuck in poverty, but it won’t get them out.”

[@darekwojciechowski3627]

Give them cars, computer, power tools and cell phone, impact will be even greater. You will have new civilization.

[@karikling6751]

I wish he would have tied it into how bicycles absolutely can be used as a legitimate mode of transportation even in western societies where cars dominate our cities.

[@oneofthesixbillion]

The power of bikes can and likely will go much farther. What most people in our western culture don't usually realize is that cars create 1/3 to 1/2 of our entire unsustainability problem. Our usage of cars is rapidly killing ourselves and the planet as a whole through pollution and resource consumption. Habitat destruction and social alienation add to the list of the destructiveness of cars. The earth's population is rapidly approaching 11 billion. We can't sustain the existing population let alone what it's growing to. Cars are a significant reason why. We will at some point be faced with needing bikes the way developing nations do. The landscape of suffering will be a lot easier if we do it voluntarily now before we are forced to from a world overrun with air pollution that shortens life spans, mass cancers from the toxicity of petroleum products in our water, food and ground, and endless oil wars. As our oil reserves run lower and lower we are drilling and fracking closer and closer to home, we'll be having ever increasing oil wars which have all ready started. Hollywood's offerings of dystopic movies are ever increasing for a reason. We can reduce and possibly avoid widespread suffering if on a mass scale we abandon our widespread use of individual cars now. Bikes are an important and powerful tool against some very dark problems not too far down the road.

[@philipwoodford6286]

Incredible

[@anindanahiyan8818]

btw this little bike component company he runs - it's SRAM.

[@VivekKumarGupta-ju7iq]

Excellent video 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@hosseindarvishi7015]

That was great. I am wondering how a little thing you do can affect the various aspects of people's lives

[@Illsamustache]

I used to run Shimano, but nowadays I have a SRAM GX Eagle groupset and SRAM G2-RSC brakes on my Fezzari Wasatch Peak hardtail MTB. SRAM makes awesome products! It’s been a nice change. SRAM has been more innovative than other bike component companies over the last couple of decades. 👍🏻

[@DanDan-fu6sd]

Why isn't there a nexflix doc on this, why isn't this on the news, why have I never heard this wonderful story? God bless you Day. I am humbled listening to your story.

[@wayneschmidt4343]

Wow. Great work.

[@LucaTamburelli]

Awesome, thanks!

[@tonyabreu6912]

I'm going to be getting a new bike next month yehhhhhh

[@katherandefy]

This audience is slow to clap. Sighhhhh unimaginative witnesses to great work.

[@chiyinlo1066]

👏👏👏

[@kolloduke3341]

24000 !!!!!!!!YEAH MAN !!!!!!..

[@vincewhite5087]

Should look at the news articles on the rental bike epidemic in China. They don’t even collect them anymore. Stadiums piled high, just rotting.