Write a report  (Page 3/4)

2. Firstly, the firm intends to sell imported second-hand bicycles cheaply to people who do not have transport. The first 10 000 used bicycles imported by Afribike were donated by the British Post Office through a British organization, Recycle. Up to 100 000 used bicycles could be imported every year from suppliers in Denmark, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United States.

3. Secondly, Afribike is also working with local industry to develop a basic, sturdy utility bicycle. They aim to produce a comfortable bicycle with balloon tyres, specially designed for African conditions. This machine will also be sold at an affordable price.

4. A refurbished bicycle would cost up to R150. There is also a scheme in which somebody could buy a bicycle for as little as R40 plus 10 hours of 'sweat-equity' - during which the buyer learns all about repairing a bicycle.

5. A survey by Saturday Argus has found that there is a definite need for cheap bicycles. Almost all the 300 000 new bicycles sold in South Africa annually are imported, mostly from China, Taiwan and Vietnam. The cheapest new bicycle costs about R500. Bicycles are bought mostly for recreational activities and for school children.

6. The decision to back a bicycle-for-all scheme arose out of a study made in rural areas by the Department of Transport. It was found that many remote areas lacked any form of transport, and some children have to walk 40 minutes each way to and from school.

7. The bicycle is ideal transport for a developing country. It is safe, it is environmentally sound and relatively cheap. After World War II, Germany and Japan pedalled out of poverty on bicycles. The economy of the Far East flourished because its people found cheap and efficient transport on bicycles instead of spending their incomes on cars.

8. "Bicycles are ridden by less than 0,25% of the South African population. We want to increase that to 2,5% - close on a million people - in the next five years," said Mr Justas Élan, Afribike’s chief executive. The Afribike scheme is already under way. Franchises are operating in Kabuli Natal and Midland; one will be opening in Jugulate in February 2001.

For more information, access: w.w.w.afribike.org

Now do the following scanning exercise

To do this QUICK QUIZ you need to scan the passage to see how quickly you can find the information to complete the following sentences. Jot the answers down in the spaces. Time yourself.

1. How many South Africans would Afribike like to put on bicycles in the next five years?

2. How many bicycles did Recycle donate to South Africa?

3. How many bicycles could be imported from suppliers in Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland and America every year?

4. How much would a refurbished bicycle cost?

5. If you paid R40 for a bicycle, how many hours of training in the sweatshop would you be required to do?

6. How many bicycles are sold in South Africa every year?

7. What does the cheapest imported bicycle cost?

8. How many South Africans (currently) use a bicycle as their main means of transport?