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The Zambulance – a life-saving bicycle trailer

By Ben Coxworth, September 20, 2010, Gizmag - GOOD THINKING

According to a recent study, over 60 percent of people in developing countries live more than eight kilometers (five miles) from a healthcare facility. As you can imagine, most of these people don’t own cars, or even have access to motorized ambulance services. When they require urgent medical attention, they often have to walk, are loaded into an ox cart or wheelbarrow, or have to sit on the rack of a bicycle. Fortunately, however, an alternative is available to some – the Zambulance. While the bicycle trailer/ambulance might seem like very basic medical transportation, early trials indicate that it’s truly life-saving.

The Zambulance provides medical transportation to people in developing nations

The Zambulance is made by Zambikes, a Zambian company that manufactures and sells bicycles, both to companies and individuals. It operates as a social business, meaning that although it is a private for-profit enterprise, all of its year-end profits are invested back into the business and the surrounding community. It also provides job training and employment for people who otherwise might have none.

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