ElliptiGO, Inc., creators of the world’s first elliptical bicycle, today announced their partnership with the 88bikes Foundation ( 88bikes.org ). Launching their sixth and most ambitious project this year, 88bikes aims to endow thousands of bicycles to children around the world who have been rescued from slavery and abuse. In 2012, the 88bikes volunteer staff will ride ElliptiGOs as they travel from village to village, delivering bikes to children, and leading them on group rides.
88bikes was started in 2006 to raise enough funds to give bikes to the 88 children at the Palm Tree Orphanage in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. After exceeding their fundraising goals in just 2 weeks, the 88bikes founders expanded their fundraising goals and identified new beneficiaries. Over the past five years, they have donated more than 2,000 bikes to children around the world. In addition, 88bikes provides them with bike maintenance training, safety workshops, group bike rides, and bike-based job skills.
“The 88bikes volunteers spend a lot of time on their own bicycles, too,” said Dan Austin, Co-Founder and Executive Director of 88bikes. “We use them for traveling between villages, daily transportation, and leading group rides.” Dan happened to try out an ElliptiGO in 2011 and immediately realized what an advantage it would be for the staff to ride ElliptiGOs during their trips.
“We lead groups of up to 200 children on rides, so it will be really helpful to be taller than the kids when we’re riding,” said Austin. “They’ll be able to see us and we’ll be able to keep track of them better.” Due to the extended time they spend sitting on bike seats, Dan also anticipates ElliptiGO elliptical bicycles making travel more comfortable for their staff, since they will ride in an ergonomically-friendly, upright position and won’t feel the pain of a bike seat. “The ElliptiGO will be useful, practical, and fun for us.”
Designed by runners, the ElliptiGO is the first outdoor, low-impact, fitness device specifically engineered to emulate the running motion. It allows athletes and fitness enthusiasts of all levels to get a high-intensity workout without experiencing the repetitive impact of running or the discomfort of the traditional cycling position. Comfortable, fun and easy to ride, the ElliptiGO bike is ideal for taking on endurance rides and longer journeys, like the 88bikes volunteers will this year.
“We were so pleased that Dan contacted us to be a part of their 2012 initiative,” said Bryan Pate, Co-Founder and Co-President of ElliptiGO. “With the simple concept of providing bikes to children in need, 88bikes is doing some truly meaningful work around the world and we’re proud to support them in their efforts to bring health and happiness to these kids.”
For more information about the 88bikes Foundation and the 2012 Asha Project, visit their website.