#BIKEUKRAINE: LET’S DONATE BICYCLES TO UKRAINIANS

The Ministry of Transport initiates a kindness campaign #BicycleUkraine – from January 17. until March 11 residents of all Lithuania are invited to donate new and used bicycles (without major defects) to the people of Ukraine, intended for both adults and children. Ukrainians also need bicycle accessories and their other parts – helmets, vests, reflectors, lights and trunks.

During this act of kindness, bicycles will be collected and stored throughout Lithuania, and will be sent to Ukraine in the spring. Initiatives with the Ministry of Transport are united by the largest companies in the Lithuanian transport sector and social partners. Bicycles will be accepted at 25 points throughout the country. Their list and contacts can be found at the end of the text.

As a result of Russia’s war in Ukraine, a significant part of the communication infrastructure in this country has been destroyed. There is no adequate infrastructure for cars and public transport in many places, part of the public transport is transferred to other regions of Ukraine, which organize evacuation of people.

“Bicycles become a salvation for Ukrainians in destroyed cities, towns and villages: they do not need special infrastructure, fuel, the lack of which is felt in Ukraine. However, bicycles can be used practically all year round.

Bicycles help Ukrainians to become more mobile, especially in rural areas, so with this campaign we would like to collect as many bicycles as possible throughout Lithuania for both children and adults”, says Minister of Transport Marius Skuodis.

Bicycles are necessary for the residents of Ukraine to move to the surrounding settlements for food or water, medical aid, they are convenient for reaching public places, as well as for providing the necessary humanitarian aid.

The funds collected during the campaign #DviratisUkrainai will reach the residents of various Ukrainian cities and their surroundings in the spring.

The Ministry of Transport also cooperates with non-governmental organizations active in Europe and their campaigns “BikesForUkraine” and “Bikes4Ukraine”. Both of these organizations, together with other non-governmental organizations operating in Ukraine, take care of supplying bicycles to Ukraine and ensuring that the equipment reaches reliable hands. Such successful bicycle promotions have already taken place in Denmark and the Netherlands.

In cooperation with Ukrainian non-governmental organizations, the Ministry of Communications created a logistics route from Lithuania to Ukraine. Since the beginning of the war caused by Russia, the ministry has been organizing and coordinating the continuous logistics of aid measures to Ukraine from Lithuania. At the moment, electricity generators, food, and medicines are mainly traveling there.

You can find the places where bicycles and their parts will be accepted in the table. If you cannot find a convenient location in the list of reception places or if you have other questions or suggestions, please contact us by e-mail. by e-mail  [email protected] .

Business representatives are also invited to participate in the #DviratisUkrainai kindness campaign.