To establish in these communities self-sustaining repair facilities to maintain the bicycles and provide employment for local people. To work within the communities of North America to reduce the flow of bicycles and bicycle parts to landfills by encouraging recycling of bicycles and bicycle parts. Asmara, Eritrea, Bike Ban Historically bicycles have been a primary mode of transport in Asmara, Eritrea. Statistically cars carry far fewer people. The ban has been the source of heated debate on Tigrinya radio and brought protests from the Environmental Bureau.
Bicycles are a major asset.
The reason so many bikes have accumulated is because owner can't afford the fine. In the 30-year struggle for freedom from Ethiopia, Eritrean women rode tanks and armored personnel carriers into war. Yet today a social taboo prevents most of them from riding one of the country's most common forms of transport - the bicycle. Society disapproves of them riding bicycles. Saba Mebrahtu, who returned to Asmara to work for the United Nations Children's Fund after many years in the United States, says sadly that she would like a bike.