Mobilized communities impact evaluation

Executive summary

IDinsight partnered with World Bicycle Relief (WBR) to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the Mobilized Communities (MC) program in Mumbwa district, Zambia. The program distributed Buffalo Bicycles to Livelihood Group Members (LGMs) and Community Service Workers (CSWs) in July 2023. Endline data was first collected from treatment and control respondents in May-June 2024, one year after distribution, showing large and positive impacts from bicycles on economic livelihoods and productivity during a severe drought. This report presents findings from a second endline conducted in May–June 2025, or two years after the distribution of bicycles.

Key findings

For treatment LGMs, compared to control LGMs

• The impact of bicycles on economic welfare increased between Endline 1 and Endline 2: At EL2, the effect on household monthly consumption was ZMW 1,190 ($47, 29%), compared to ZMW 875 ($33, 24%) at EL1. The effect on household monthly income was ZMW 743 ($29, 36%), compared to ZMW 625 ($24, 49%) at EL1. The effect on household assets was ZMW 14,653 ($575, 28%), compared to ZMW 14,217 ($537, 33%) at EL1.
• Travel time was lower by 57 minutes per day, and time spent on productive work was 0.7 extra hours greater (which amounts to 4.4 hours over a 6-day work week). Treatment households earned ZMW 262 ($10, 28%) more in monthly business revenue.
• LGMs had 11% higher dietary diversity, with higher spending on protein-rich foods, and experienced fewer events of food insecurity.

For treatment CSWs, compared to control CSWs

• CSWs shifted from walking to cycling, saving time and investing an extra hour daily in farming.
• They transported on average six patients to health centers on the bicycles per month, making bicycles vital for community health and emergencies.
• Whereas at EL1 CSWs primarily used bicycles to reach more clients, at EL2 CSWs shifted use toward improving their livelihoods. The impact of the bicycle on the number of patients reached declined between EL1 and EL2, but the impact on CSW economic livelihoods increased.
• At EL2, the effect on household monthly consumption was ZMW 1,326 ($52, 30%), compared to ZMW 783 ($30, 21%) at EL1. The effect on household monthly income was ZMW 1,438 ($56, 77%), compared to ZMW 180 ($7, 12%, statistically insignificant) at EL1. The effect on household assets was ZMW 20,896 ($820, 34%), compared to ZMW 9,607 ($363, 18%) at EL1.

Endline 1 (2024), conducted during a severe drought, showed that bicycles helped households maintain income and consumption while controls experienced sharp declines. Endline 2 (2025), conducted in a recovery year, shows bicycles also enable faster growth. This highlights their dual role as resilience tools and growth accelerators.

The evaluation confirms MC program as an impactful and cost-effective intervention that reduces transport barriers, improves household welfare, and strengthens community resilience. Scaling bicycle access, investing in maintenance systems, and embedding gender-equity strategies will further amplify impact.