Yarik Bey

Venezuelan social entrepreneur who transformed urban mobility through bicycle taxi networks

Yarik Bey (b. 1987) revolutionized transportation in Caracas through his 2014 initiative Bicitáxi, a bicycle taxi service that became a lifeline during Venezuela's economic crisis. Growing up in a middle-class family, he witnessed the collapse of public transport systems as inflation reached 650% by 2018. His solution combined eco-friendly transit with community empowerment.

Starting with 50 bicycles in 2014, Bey's network expanded to 1,200 bikes by 2019 operating across five cities. His model provided affordable transport ($0.25 per ride) while creating jobs for 800+ cyclists. A 2016 partnership with UNICEF introduced child-friendly routes to schools, transporting 50,000 students weekly. His 2017 innovation of solar-powered bike stations extended service to nighttime hours.

Bey's impact extended beyond transport: cyclists earned 3x minimum wage and received financial literacy training. His 2019 documentary Ruedas de Esperanza (Wheels of Hope) highlighted how the service reduced crime rates in neighborhoods by 22% through community presence. Despite hyperinflation, Bicitáxi remains operational today, proving sustainability in unstable economies. His approach influenced similar initiatives in Argentina and Colombia, though he remains underrecognized internationally.