Tern Cargo Bikes Support Community Resilience in Ukraine

November 21, 2024 — In an effort to support resilience in communities affected by the ongoing Ukrainian conflict, 60 Tern Short Haul cargo bikes have been donated* to provide essential transportation for families, aid workers, and local service providers. Now being distributed in cities like Chernihiv and Oleksandriya, these bikes will serve as vital tools for those dedicated to rebuilding and sustaining daily life under the challenging conditions.

“The people of Ukraine have been astoundingly brave and resilient in the face of daunting obstacles,” stated Tern Team Captain Josh Hon. “We want them to know that they are not forgotten and that we support them. We hope that our cargo bikes can make daily life a bit easier.”

Cargo Bikes Make a Difference

Chernihiv, a historic city in northern Ukraine, has endured severe hardship as one of the first areas to face siege and bombardment. Damaged infrastructure, limited resources, and unreliable energy supply have made travel by auto difficult, while bicycles, especially cargo bikes, have become vital. With the ability to transport passengers and goods, these bikes are invaluable for families rebuilding their homes, parents needing to take children to distant schools, and essential workers in healthcare and other fields.

The rugged Tern Short Haul cargo bike was chosen for its simplicity and reliability. It runs on pure muscle power and features durable, easily replaceable components. Easy to ride and capable of carrying up to 50 kg on the rear rack and 20 kg in the front, the Short Haul can immediately impact the local communities.

Voices of Resilience

In Oleksandriya, a city sheltering hundreds displaced by the war, a humanitarian aid center has begun using 10 donated bikes to deliver essential supplies to refugees. In Chernihiv, bikes were prioritized for families with children, and for essential workers who chose to stay during the heaviest fighting, even as some lost part or all of their homes and workplaces due to shelling. Here are a few of their stories:

Yuriy: An elderly man running a delivery service in Chernihiv, distributing bread to hospitals, kindergartens, and rehabilitation centers. With his sons mobilized for the war, Yuriy has managed the business alone. The Short Haul will help him commute to work and make daily deliveries.
Iryna: A nurse living in a heavily damaged area of Chernihiv. Although most of her home was destroyed, she remained in the city, working at a hospital even during the most active periods of shelling. She’ll use the bike to commute to the hospital and help with rebuilding her home.
Tetiana: A farmer who chose to stay and care for her cows, even after her property was hit by shelling and her barn burned down. She continues to run a small dairy farm, delivering milk to families with young children who also stayed behind. The Short Haul will assist her with these deliveries.
Veterinarian: A young doctor traveling to small farms across several villages to care for livestock. The Short Haul will allow her to carry medical supplies, provide quicker service, and increase her visits to treat sick animals.
Inna: veterinary hospital worker whose home was destroyed in the conflict. Due to unreliable public transportation and no nearby schools, she’ll use the Short Haul to commute to work and take her child to school in another district.

“While the war has damaged the lives of the locals, their spirit remains strong," stated Michael Roffler, Head of Swiss NGO Pro Ukraïna. “Life goes on, just at a slower pace. These cargo bikes will help people rebuild their lives, empower essential workers, and bring moments of respite and joy to local families.”

In Memoriam, Thomas Loesch

This project holds special, bittersweet meaning for all team members at Tern, as it was championed by Thomas Loesch, a long-time, cherished member of the design team who passed away this August. Although logistical and safety concerns delayed the project, Thomas' perseverance pushed it forward, allowing him to see the bikes eventually reach the communities that needed them most.