Bicycles for Rural African Transport Act

The Bicycles for Rural African Transport Act would create a USAID-administered Rural Mobility Program aimed at improving mobility in rural sub-Saharan Africa by expanding access to affordable, fit-for-purpose bicycles. The program would fund country-driven projects and grant support to eligible nonprofit partners, prioritizing groups with proven success in rural mobility efforts. Its broader goal is to help rural communities access essential services—education, health care, and livelihoods—while also building local capacity (mechanics, spare-parts supply, and community project management) and reducing social and gender-based barriers to mobility. The bill would authorize specific funding levels beginning in fiscal year 2026 and include a reporting framework. USAID would report on prior relevant projects (2022–2025) within 30 days of enactment and annually on current projects (throughout each fiscal year), detailing countries, mechanisms, bicycle distribution, outcomes, and lessons learned. The bill is titled the Bicycles for Rural African Transport Act and was introduced in the Senate in June 2025 by Sen. Durbin.