‘Maya Pedal’ bike drive coming to Portland Saturday

A coffee depulper (left) and a reliable vehicle are just two of the creations Maya Pedal can build with your old bike parts.
(Photos: Maya Pedal)

A nonprofit based in Guatemala that builds pedal-powered machines for farm laborers is making a supply run in Portland this weekend. Maya Pedal builds a variety of “bicimaquinas” (bicycle machines) that can do everything from pump water, thresh corn, shell nuts and blend soaps and shampoos.

The Central American farming villages served by Maya Pedal have no electricity and they typically earn less than $6 per day. These families rely on bikes and parts from the United States and Canada to keep their programs running. This Saturday (9/16), volunteers with Maya Pedal USA (a support group based stateside) will be at Velo Cult (1969 NE 42nd Ave) from 6:00 to 8:00 pm accepting donations.

Look through your parts pile! Here’s a list of things they need:

– 26-inch wheels
– Knobby tires (Maya Pedal also builds bikes for locals, and the roads are typically dirt)
– Mountain bike frames
– Comfortable saddles
– Very small frames (average height in Guatemala is between 4’6” and 5’2”), and a typical user of the machines is female, so under 5′
– Gently used wrenches and tools
– Wire feed welders
– Typical bike nuts and bolts
– Misc bike parts

Watch this cool video about their work

Everyone who donates a bike or part at the event can enjoy a pedal-powered smoothie made on a Maya Pedal machine.

Also at the event you’ll hear from Maya Pedal USA spokesman Dave Renfrow and Maya Pedal volunteer veterans from Portland. Check the event listing here and learn more at MayaPedal.org.

— Jonathan Maus: (503) 706-8804, @jonathan_maus on Twitter and jonathan@bikeportland.org

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