Cargo bike on display at Southwest Bikes of Las Vegas

In honor of Black History Month, Southwest Bikes of Las Vegas, NV is showing one of only a handful of Project Rwanda Cargo Bikes in the United States. The bikes were originally used by Rwandan coffee farmers but are now being used by sectors including veterinarian medicine, students and other agriculture like dairy and potatoes.

“It is a rare opportunity to support a non-profit focused on improving the lives of Africans, specifically Rwandans, just by showcasing a bicycle. As an African-American business owner and cyclist, there is a special sense of pride in honoring Black History Month this way,” says co-owner Philip Watford.

The Cargo Bike was specially designed by mountain biking icon Tom Ritchey, to navigate Rwanda’s hilly terrain with weights up to 300 kilograms. Rocky Heidt, Southwest Bikes’ other owner says, “Having an actual Cargo Bike in the shop is really cool. I’ve seen pictures of the bike, but in person you can really envision this six-foot behemoth weighed down with coffee or potatoes in a place I’ll probably never go.”

Patrons can make a donation to Project Rwanda and see the Cargo Bike at Southwest Bikes throughout the month of February. Southwest Bikes is located at 7260 W. Azure Dr. #130, Las Vegas, NV 89130. Call for hours (702) 227-RIDE (7433).