This legislation mandates the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish a new rural mobility program specifically targeting Sub-Saharan Africa. The program's primary goal is to enhance rural communities' access to essential services and opportunities, including education, healthcare, and livelihoods, by providing affordable and fit-for-purpose bicycles. It also seeks to sustainably improve access to these critical services through various support mechanisms, such as training rural mechanics, ensuring access to spare parts, and addressing social and gender-based stigmas. The program prioritizes partnerships with existing, successful organizations overseas that have proven models for distributing bicycles to achieve development objectives. The bill authorizes appropriations totaling $3 million for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, increasing to $6 million annually from fiscal year 2028 onwards. Furthermore, it requires USAID to submit regular reports to Congress detailing both past and current projects related to rural bicycle mobility, including outcomes, impacts, and lessons learned.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S3437)
International Affairs
Bicycles for Rural African Transport Act
USA119th CongressS-2093| Senate
| Updated: 6/17/2025
This legislation mandates the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to establish a new rural mobility program specifically targeting Sub-Saharan Africa. The program's primary goal is to enhance rural communities' access to essential services and opportunities, including education, healthcare, and livelihoods, by providing affordable and fit-for-purpose bicycles. It also seeks to sustainably improve access to these critical services through various support mechanisms, such as training rural mechanics, ensuring access to spare parts, and addressing social and gender-based stigmas. The program prioritizes partnerships with existing, successful organizations overseas that have proven models for distributing bicycles to achieve development objectives. The bill authorizes appropriations totaling $3 million for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, increasing to $6 million annually from fiscal year 2028 onwards. Furthermore, it requires USAID to submit regular reports to Congress detailing both past and current projects related to rural bicycle mobility, including outcomes, impacts, and lessons learned.