Close-up of a bicycle symbolizing Cycle Connect’s beginnings

Who We Are

Where We Began

It started with a bicycle….

About Cycle Connect → Explore Our Work →

Our Journey

It started with a bicycle and grew into a portfolio of productive assets and training that help farmers invest in their future year after year.

Community members at a Cycle Connect gathering

  1. It Started With A Bicycle

    Cycle Connect originated as Bicycles Against Poverty (BAP). Our journey began when our founder saw the empowerment, freedom, and opportunity a bicycle could bring to a rural family through a lease-to-own model.

  2. 2014

    Full-Time Operations Begin

    Molly Burke moved from New York City to Northern Uganda to launch full-time operations. BAP distributed 250 lease-to-own bicycles in the first year.

  3. 2014–2017

    Beginning Years

    Distributed 2,000 bicycles creating access to markets, health, and education. We learned that nearly all clients were farmers who also lacked other essential tools.

  4. 2018

    Expansion of Portfolio

    Building on bicycle success, we added income-generating assets: oxen & plow, grinding machines, and motorcycles.

  5. 2019

    Cycle Connect

    Bicycles Against Poverty rebranded to Cycle Connect with a mission to increase income for smallholder farmers via productive asset-financing and training.

  6. 2022

    6 Sub-Branches Opened

    Disbursed loans to more than 10,000 farmers and opened six sub-branches in Northern Uganda.

  7. 2023

    New Products Added

    Supported over 13,000 farmers, indirectly reaching 65,000 individuals. Added maize threshers and tested irrigation pumps.

  8. 2024

    Portfolio with High-Impact Assets

    Served 14,000 farmers. Portfolio includes motorcycles, grinding mills, and maize threshers. Testing solar irrigation pumps and electric bicycles. Opened a new outpost in Apac district.

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Cycle Connect delivering bicycles on motorcycles to last-mile communities

Where We’re Going

Cycle Connect is on a mission to increase income for smallholder farmers through productive asset-financing and training.

  • Expand last-mile delivery and support into new districts across Northern Uganda.
  • Grow a portfolio of high-impact assets (motorcycles, grinding mills, maize threshers, irrigation pumps).
  • Deepen farmer training and after-sales service to maximize returns on each investment.
  • Build data systems that measure income growth and drive continuous improvements.
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