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Maya Pedal Asociación

Maya Pedal Asociación

San Andrés Itzapa, Guatemala

In 1997, in San Andrés Itzapa in Guatemala, Maya Pedal Asociación began recycling scraps of bicycles into  Bicimáquinas.

Bicimáquinas are pedal-powered blenders, washing machines and threshing machines, eliminating the need for fuel and electricity. Pumps are also possible, and are capable of extracting 30 liters of water per minute from 30-meter deep wells (electronic pumps reach just to 12 meters).

The idea of these ingenious contraptions emerged from the desire to help the farming families of the San Andrés community. The issue that gave rise to Maya Pedal was the expense and shortage of electricity and fuel in the village.

Carlos and Cesar, creators of Maya Pedal, have achieved an extraordinary result: a worthy project that does not pollute and is extremely fascinating in its involvement of volunteers from around the world who are building a fantastic pedal revolution.

MORE CONTENTS
Making Aloe Shampoo with Bicimáquinas

Making Aloe Shampoo with Bicimáquinas

Aña Maria Guch – President of “Women for Development in Action” shows how her association of women makes Aloe Shampoo with Bicimáquinas. From the interview: “First we cut the aloe then we take off the skin we cut it into little pieces and we put it in the Bicilicuadora blender...
Volunteers Portraits

Volunteers Portraits

In these portraits some volunteers of  Maya Pedal Asociación. Volunteers comes from all over the world and are often brave cyclists coming from the United States toward South America: Anna Normandin (Arizona – U.S.A.), Bruce Thomas (NEW ZEALAND), David Anhalt (Illinois – U.S.A.), Emily Linders (Missouri – U.S.A.), Gavin Betzelberger...
San Andrés Itzapa, Guatemala

San Andrés Itzapa, Guatemala

San Andrés Itzapa is a small community located in the mountain area in the center of Guatemala, 40 minutes by bicycle from the old capital Antigua, declared World Heritage by UNESCO. The village is surrounded by a thick, neat forest and the climate is called the “eternal spring”, ideal for...
Workshop of Maya Pedal

Workshop of Maya Pedal

The Maya Pedal workshop never stands still: Carlos repairs bicycles and builds new Bicimáquinas, in the meantime there are constantly new volunteers from all over the world to help, to share their knowledge. Maya Pedal recycles everything and uses scraps of bicycles to build shelves, cabinets, door objects and whatever...
Bicimáquinas

Bicimáquinas

In the pictures some of the Bicimáquinas designed and produced by Maya Pedal Asociación: Bicilicuadora (Blender) A common kitchen blender adapted to a converted bicycle. Blends fruit-smoothies, vegetable purée and grain, as well as soaps and shampoos. Perfect for selling smoothies at the football field, festivals and parades. Spins up...

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Maya Pedal Asociación
Canton San Antonio 
San Andrés Itzapa, Chimaltenango 
Guatemala

Story credits

Photos and Videos
Matteo de Mayda
Video editing
Pablo Pastor
Music
Jhon William Castaño Montoya

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