{"id":237991,"date":"2021-04-25T15:40:39","date_gmt":"2021-04-25T19:40:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/?p=237991"},"modified":"2021-04-25T15:40:39","modified_gmt":"2021-04-25T19:40:39","slug":"dont-kill-the-messengers-they-bring-love-and-support-leading-women-in-bicycle-messaging-services-in-cuba","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oncubanews.com\/en\/cuba\/economy\/entrepreneurship-in-cuba\/dont-kill-the-messengers-they-bring-love-and-support-leading-women-in-bicycle-messaging-services-in-cuba\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cDon’t kill the messengers, they bring love and support\u201d: leading women in bicycle messaging services in Cuba"},"content":{"rendered":"

In times of crisis, the bicycle has emerged as a vital tool to supplant the lack of transportation in Cuba; although it has always been associated, globally, with a healthy and ecological lifestyle, as an alternative to exercise the body and free the atmosphere of polluting gases produced by the hydrocarbons emitted by motor vehicles.<\/span><\/p>\n

This world life philosophy had already reached Cuba, although, to a large extent, the extension of the trend throughout the island responds more to the poor transportation conditions in the country, especially in the capital, with its high population density.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the transportation deficiencies in the country not only affect the state sector, nor do private carriers have the equipment and vehicles to make up for the deficiencies of public transportation. Therefore, bicycles are the most economical means of transport for \u201cordinary Cubans,\u201d although their maintenance and care is also becoming more expensive.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe buy the means and accessories that we use, many times on the black market. There is no national market to acquire these pieces at affordable prices,\u201d comments Elizabeth Duconge, in charge of the <\/span>Cicloamigos Habana<\/span><\/i> project, a collaborative network of cyclists who take advantage of their free time to provide courier services in the city.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bicycle messaging is precisely an alternative that has gained strength in the last year on the island, branching out into different ventures created, in the beginning, to meet their own needs, to later expand the work area as an economic alternative to assist other businesses.<\/span><\/p>\n

Zaaz bicimensajer\u00eda<\/span><\/i><\/a> is one of the leading initiatives in Havana, created by the also founders of the <\/span>Mi rinconcito<\/span><\/i> venture, as a solution to bring this store\u2019s products to its customers, according to Lisa del Prado, one of the founders of both projects.<\/span><\/p>\n