We’ve featured numerous ways you can help Japan in this time of dire need. But if books, food, music, tables, shelter, bikinis or art is not your thing, don’t worry; the internet has something for everybody! Bikes for Japan is a project by Craig Mod and Henry Osborne, who are collecting donations to help send bicycles to the thousands of people in the Tohoku region.
The funds will actually go towards supporting Daiki Mochizuki, who owns a bicycle repair shop. Daiki is not only collecting bikes but he is also fixing old bikes and making them usable once again. The team has already trucked 60-plus bikes up to the region but they need more! If you would like to donate, you can do so here. If you are in Japan and would like to help, get in touch because there are numerous ways to help including storing bikes and coordinating pick-up efforts.
Commonplace objects such as bicycles are often taken for granted but they have the potential for huge impact. Not only do they provide a sense of normalcy to a population who has lost every sense of the word, they also allow for expansion of transportation. And it goes without saying, but one of the major advantages of the bicycle is that it doesn’t require fuel – something that has always been, and continues to be, scarce.
April 13, 2011 at 1:06 pm
What do we do if we have a bike to donate? Can we send it somewhere?
Where?
April 13, 2011 at 1:19 pm
Do you live in Japan? If not, the best way to help is to donate money. If you do live in Japan you should contact them directly: http://bikesforjapan.org/ask
One of the issues they are trying to get their hands around is the efficient pick-up of bikes around the city.
April 13, 2011 at 2:22 pm
bikesforjapan@gmail.com also works!