MIT D-Lab colaborated with the Center for Development Research at the USAID Global Development Lab to explore research on access to affordable bicycles in Sub-Saharan Africa. The team worked to understand challenges and barriers to using bicycles, and explore opportunities to leverage bicycle-use to increase access to education, shift gender norms, generate income, and more.
Phase 1: Literature Review and Key Informant Interviews
The first phase of the research included a broad literature review and interviews with key informants affiliated with the bicycle industry. The team narrowed down the list of countries to nine (Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia) and conducted a thorough analysis of existing relevant research in each country and additional key informant interviews. The team then prioritized the list further to approximately three countries and carry out comparative case studies in each location. More information on phase one of this project can be found in the publication Access to Affordable Bicycles: Summary of the Findings from the Literature Review and Key Informant Interviews.
Phase 2: More In-depth Research Study
The research in phase two was determined by the findings uncovered in phase one. Findings and recommendations can be found in the publication Access to Affordable Bicycles in Africa: Final Report.
Team
Dan Frey - Principal Investigator; MIT Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Megha Hegde - Research Associate, MIT D-Lab
Gwyn Jones - Affiliated Researcher, MIT D-Lab
Kendra Leith - Project Manager; Associate Director for Research, MIT D-Lab
Jonars Spielberg - Research Affiliate, MIT D-Lab
Dan Sweeney - Research Scientist, MIT D-Lab
