Bikes for the World (BFTW) is a nonprofit organization, founded in 2005 and sponsored by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association, that has donated more than 22,500 bicycles to 15 organizations in 10 countries and in the USA. The donated bicycles that are shipped overseas are shipped to Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean through partnerships with other non-profit organizations.

The program operates around the Washington DC area, including Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Delaware and other areas in the Mid-Atlantic region. In 2007, BFTW became the largest bicycle re-use program in the USA … donating more than 7,900 bicycles.

The mission of BFTW is assist poor people overseas by providing bicycles for transport to work, school and health services and to provide community service opportunities for Americans to assist others overseas. The programs also reduce waste by recycling used goods.

In addition to bicycles, other bike-related items (parts), used portable sewing machines (provides income opportunities), and used cell phones are collected by BFTW.

BFTW tries to establish self-sustaining bicycle repair operations in overseas countries. Ideally, those repair businesses can later earn enough money to purchase subsequent shipments of bicycles.

Overseas partnerships over the last few years include:

* The Bicycling Empowerment Network Namibia
* Sri Lanka Association of Greater Washington
* Servicios Ecumenicos de Formacion de Centro America
* Fundacion Integral Campesina de Costa Rica
* Women Prisoners Support Organization
* Village Bike Project (West Africa)
* Pinelands Creative Workshop
* Christian Action for International Development
* Art for Humanity (Honduras)

Additional information on donating goods or funds, organizing collections, and other program details can be found on their website.