Kona expands AfricaBikes support

In its third year, Kona's will double its previous donation of 500 bikes for the AfricaBikes project, which seeks to provide durable, easy-to-maintain bikes to healthcare workers to assist in the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients. The bike manufacturer intends to donate 1,000 additional bikes.

"There is a sense at Kona that cyclists are becoming more aware of their role in the world and how bicycles can contribute to the well-being of people everywhere," said Kona Chief Jake Heilbron. "The idea that we can help in Africa has clearly hit a nerve in the minds of cyclists everywhere."

Last year, Kona's adopt-an-AfricaBike program raised more than US$10,000. Among those who helped the project were 10 year-old Quinn Freedman, who raised $1,500 by completing a solo 25-mile "Bike-a-thon" in the San Juan Islands last November, and Virginia Tech senior Christine George who is currently spearheading a fundraiser with the goal of raising $10,000 for the project.

Kona will be making at least three trips to Africa in June and August to help deliver bikes in places like Mozambique, Swaziland and South Africa