Maya Pedal is a non-governmental organization located in San Andrés Itzapa, Chimaltenango. They started in 1997, working with a group of Canadians from the organization PEDAL. Following a vision for sustainable development in Guatemala, they became constituted under local control as Asociación Maya Pedal in 2001. They recycle used bicycles to build pedal-powered machines, bicimáquinas, which support and help facilitate the work of small-scale, self-sustainable projects. Through this work they hope to contribute to the conservation of the environment, the health of the Guatemalan people, and the productivity of the local economy.
The group’s mission and vision is to support the basic family economy, through the design and distribution of bicycle machines, providing an efficient alternative for rural development; and to promote the use of bicycle machines through programs, projects, partnerships, activities, and actions.
¿What are bicimáquinas? Bicimáquinas (translates as “bicycle machines”) are pedal-powered machines that act as an intermediate technology to assist the family economy in obtaining a higher production capacity in agriculture and in small business. Each bicimáquina is produced individually in their shop with a combination of old bikes, concrete, wood, and metal. So far they have developed several original designs that have proven to be both functional and economical.
Models that the group produces include:
- Bicycle Mill/Corn Degrainer
- Bicycle Blender
- Bicycle Water Pump
- Microconcrete Vibrator (Roofing Tiles)
- Tricycles and Trailers
- Bicycle Coffee Depulper
- Bicycle Metal Sharpener
- Bicycle Washing Machine
- Bicycle Electricity Generator
- Soil plow/till/hoe
- Bicycle Nut Sheller
- Bicycle Wood Saw
- Just Bikes!
To find out more about Maya Pedal, please see their website.
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