“One ride. One goal. One chain reaction” – this is the motto under which the second Chainreaction Bike Convoy for Ukraine will set off from Munich on 19 June 2027. The Chainreaction Bike Convoy for Ukraine was founded by five friends from Munich who combined their passion for road cycling with a simple question: How can we help people suffering from a war? A war so close that you can reach it by bike in just a few days…
In 2025, the answer was: with 14 ambulances in the convoy, around 400 cyclists at the start in Munich, and 100 who cycled all the way to the Polish-Ukrainian border. Four further ambulances, three fire engines, an evacuation bus and hospital equipment followed in the months that followed. Now the initiative, which operates in close collaboration with the non-profit organisation Bamberg:UA e.V., is making a fresh start.
New concept for 2027
For 2027, the brains behind the Chainreaction Bike Convoy Taking this approach further: the relief effort is now centred around an entire network comprising friends, former fellow cyclists, cycling clubs, local initiatives and committed individuals. The idea behind this is that, rather than centralising communication and fundraising alone, the movement should grow through many independent teams. To this end, there are now Road Captains who autonomously organise rides and events and collect donations in their home regions. The initiative is already active in Berlin, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Freiburg, Erfurt, Hamburg, Ulm, Garmisch, Freudenstadt, Wendland, Zurich, Dublin and Munich. More Road Captains are still being sought. Anyone wishing to get involved as a Road Captain for the Chainreaction Bike Convoy for Ukraine can start within their own local community: possible activities include group rides, charity rides, events, partnerships with bike shops or local businesses, and engaging the regional road cycling and gravel cycling communities.
Bike Convoy 2.0: A stage ride to Ukraine
The 2027 Tour will set off from Munich on 19 June 2027 and will cover around 1,270 kilometres and approximately 7,000 metres of elevation gain, passing through six countries on its way to Lviv in Ukraine. The concept of the Tour is designed to accommodate various forms of participation. Supporters can accompany the convoy for entire stages or sections, or contribute solely through fundraising, communication and local initiatives. No one has to cover the entire route to support the movement. Alternatively, those with sporting ambitions can register for one of the ARA-MUC brevets starting at the same location and at the same time, and cycle 300, 600 or 1,200 kilometres in one go.
Chainreaction Bike Convoy – what has happened so far
- July 2025. Around 400 cyclists set off from Munich, accompanied by 14 ambulances – seven days later, the ambulances are handed over in Lviv’s market square
- January 2026. The Chainreaction team handed over a further four ambulances to Ukraine. Participants in the 2025 tour independently organised four fire engines, additional vehicles, as well as medical supplies and hospital equipment.
Cainreaction Bike Convoy Funding
The money donated goes to the charitable organisation Bamberg:UA, which has been organising aid for Ukraine for years and handles all the formalities involved in transporting donated ambulances to Ukraine. As a charitable organisation, Bamberg:UA can issue donation receipts.
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The ambulances
A second-hand ambulance costs around 15,000 euros, depending on the year of manufacture and the type of engine. The vehicles are purchased in collaboration with our partner organisation Bamberg:UA. The ambulances and the medical equipment they contain have recently passed their TÜV inspection. The ambulances are handed over to the emergency services on site in Lviv. Each of these vehicles helps to save an average of around five people a day in Ukraine. All donations go directly to Bamberg:UA e.V., the charitable partner organisation that has been organising humanitarian aid for Ukraine for many years. Bamberg:UA handles the procurement as well as the formal and logistical arrangements for transporting the vehicles to Ukraine. Donations can be made via Betterplace.org or by bank transfer. Donation receipts will be issued.
Kristian Bauer
Editor