Bamboo bikes factory set to put Africa into motion
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The first large-scale production facility of its kind in the world will soon begin producing bikes made from bamboo for the African market.
Initially, Ghana-based Bamboo Bikes Limited (BBL) will produce 750 bikes for a test run at its facility in Kumasi with larger-scale production runs to follow.
Bamboo is grown locally in many regions of Africa and the manufacturing of bicycle frames does not require costly infrastructure or electricity. Bamboo-framed bicycles are lighter and stronger than steel-framed bikes, adaptable to difficult road conditions and can be easily modified for different needs, such as carrying farm loads, passengers, food, water and medicine.
The production of the bamboo bikes at BBL is a direct result of Columbia University’s Bamboo Bike Project (BBP), which was established at Columbia University’s Earth Institute to enhance access to safe, reliable and multi-purpose transportation in rural communities of sub-Saharan Africa.
The effort was supported by the Earth Institute’s Millennium Cities Initiative (MCI), which helps under-resourced sub-Saharan African cities create employment and foster economic growth.
MCI was instrumental in establishing the bamboo bike investment in Ghana, attracting donors such as the UK Charities Trust and the Tides Foundation, as well as facilitating many of the operational aspects of the project.
In Ghana, BBL will be responsible for managing the production facility and supplying the labour, bamboo and bike parts for the production test run and subsequent scale-up. It will be responsible for all operational matters, as well as marketing and outreach efforts in Ghana.
Included within the many groups that could benefit from bamboo bikes are healthcare workers, students and farmers.
Readers' comments (7)
Jonathan Douglas | 28 Jan 2011 12:58 pm
I have always imagined that bamboo would make a good frame material and I don't think these will be the first ever made. It is also true that about 40 years ago some racing bicycle rims had bamboo inside them to reinforce.
The question I want answered is this : How are the bamboo 'tubes', which must alter size significantly with temperature and humidity, fixed into the 'lugs' or otherwise joined at the corners.
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Dennis Jewitt | 28 Jan 2011 1:37 pm
I wonder how they get the required stiffness from bamboo and also how the material is joined. The last bamboo bike I saw was just a gimmick with very high cost and just short lengths of bamboo into steel sockets. The componentry, bearings, wheels etc were all standard parts.
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Raúl Alberto Castillo | 28 Jan 2011 2:08 pm
La idea de fabricar Bicicletas con Bambú es muy muy interesante ya que el costo bajaría en gran forma, seria muy interesante que la ofrecieran al las ciudades como Buenos Aires que comenzaron un plan de proveer de bicicletas a los ciudadanos para que dejen de usar automotores divido al congestionamiento de vehículos.
ofrecer al Sr. Mauricio Macri intendente de la ciudad de Buenos Aires.,
Raúl Alberto Castillo
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O Pearson | 28 Jan 2011 2:59 pm
A quick google reveals several companies that have been making bamboo framed bikes for years with the original patent going back to 1894. However the devil is in the detail and it will be the running gear that is the real challenge.
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Anonymous | 28 Jan 2011 3:24 pm
lots of good ideas are cyclical, often in tandem with others...
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Editor's comments | 28 Jan 2011 3:24 pm
No more puns, please. We don't want a chain reaction.
Clyde H. Phillip | 28 Jan 2011 7:35 pm
Similiar intiative is currently planned for the Caribbean state of Haiti.
Clyde H. Phillip
President
The University Engineering Technology Fraternity
(868) 762-9109
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Anonymous | 31 Jan 2011 2:05 pm
No more jokes please. They are very tyred.
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