Some of these amazing Aussie charities are teaching, providing aid and clean water, or creating jobs in their humanitarian efforts overseas. So, what good is a bike?

David Tucker, chairman of the WA chapter, explained that Bicycles For Humanity provided a whole lot more than a physical mode of transport to those who could afford the cost ($AUD40-$70).

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It's also providing community empowerment, sustainable small-business management skills, as well as aid to the most needy via donations to local charities.

And that’s the beauty of a sustainable business model. Here's how it works.

A bike's journey. Picture: Bicycles For Humanity

Step One: Bike donations in Perth and across the world are collected, then repaired, by a devoted team of volunteers in that city.

Step Two: Once enough money is raised in that chapter (there are about 20 worldwide), about 400 bikes are shipped off to various locations around the world. The most likely is Namibia, where partner NGO Bicycle Empowerment Network Namibia is based and works on the ground.

Step Three: Bicycle Empowerment Network decides where the Bicycle Empowerment Centre should be set up. It's a bike workshop built from the very same container that the bikes were shipped in. Here, locals are able to work part-time for a reasonable wage, selling the bikes to other locals, as well as learning how to maintain and repair them. These workers are able to develop valuable, sustainable skills in small-business management and mechanics, providing individuals with an income and a future.

Step Four isn’t shown in the diagram above, but from where I’m sitting, it’s one of the most important. The money that is raised from selling, repairing and maintaining these bikes is then donated to a local charity, where it is used to support local health and education programs.

For example, in the Namibian town of Katutura, the King’s Daughters charity that helps sex slavery victims uses the profits made from the bikes to provide food and care packages for the girls during their rehabilitation.

The bikes also provide physical activity, road safety, and a way to stay occupied and out of trouble after school hours.

There are a number of boys and girls in Namibia preparing to take part in competition cycling thanks to the skills they gained on Bicycles For Humanity bikes. This is a powerful boost to their self-esteem.

This year, Bicycles For Humanity WA celebrated its 12th shipping container delivery. If donations allow, they are aiming to transition from two to three containers a year over the next few years. That number many seem modest, but at a whopping $10,000 per shipping container, that’s $30,000 that the charity must raise in order to ship each year.

Which brings us to our next question - how can we help?

Well, firstly there is the issue of money. No matter how many bikes are donated, they won’t get anywhere without the money to ship - so even a small donation is much appreciated.

Another incredible fact about this charity is that 95% of the money raised goes entirely to shipping those bikes over to people who need it. Plus, any donation over $2 is now tax deductible.

Secondly, the most obvious way to help is to donate bikes!

Any bike in reasonable condition is appreciated, with a preference for hybrid or mountain bikes to suit the African conditions, as well as road bikes in good condition for competitions. There are heaps of drop-off points across each city involved with the community. The Australian drop-off points are:

Perth drop-off points

Adelaide drop-off points

Melbourne drop-off points

Lastly, you can volunteer your time to help out at the bicycle workshop, even if you have little experience there’s always an opportunity to help.

Or, if you’re better at talking than fixing bikes, there’s opportunity to head down to local public events and tell the Bicycles For Humanity story to help raise funds.

To find out how, or if you have any other questions about this inspiring charity, you can email the team here.