05 Jul Bamboo Bike

The Bamboo Bike Project , a collaboration between David Ho and John Mutter of The Earth Institute at Columbia University and Craig Calfee @ Calfee Design aims to examine the feasibility of implementing cargo bikes made of bamboo as a sustainable form of transportation in Africa where very few people own cars or even motorcycles. Especially in rural Africa, most people have to rely on inadequate and relatively expensive buses.

According to Ho, a bamboo bicycle industry would be relatively easy to establish, since making bamboo frames doesn’t require all the complex tools that conventional bicycles require. He added that bamboo frames can be made with a Swiss army knife.

These bicycles are creatively modified to become boda boda taxis. They estimate that there are 14,000 bicycles altogether, and the number is rapidly increasing. With lack of access to effective transportation being a fundamental limiter to employment opportunities, local and regional trade, and public health, the bikes are meant to promote sustainable living. The ultimate goals of this noble project are twofold: to build a better bike for the poor in rural areas of Africa and to stimulate a bicycle building industry to satisfy local needs.

Learn more about the Bamboo Bike Project