University Student Making a Recyclable Cardboard Bike
A British student, Phil Bridge, is developing a waterproofed cardboard bike.
Why?
According to the CNN story, the bike will lower the investment needed to get people cycling and ease fears of stolen or vandalized bikes. The cardboard frame of the bike would be replaced free of charge twice a year, and the metal parts reused with the new frame. That’s the plan anyway. I hope he does it!
Read more at The ultimate in recycling on CNN.
Tags: cardboard bike, recyclable cardboard bike, recycled bikeRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Junk Creations
4 opinions for University Student Making a Recyclable Cardboard Bike
Sam
Jun 20, 2008 at 8:46 am
No way, no how, would I trust any sort of cardboard to support my (well-over 12 stone) weight while exerting force against the pedals. According to more advanced cyclists, the aging (late ’80s-early ’90s) department-store bike (that I got at a yard sale for $1) I ride, now, is just an accident waiting to happen, and it actually has some sort of metal frame. And a slightly more aerodynamic shape than its new-born cardboard cousin. And it only requires minor, rare, low-cost maintenance.
I also have to wonder about things like adjusting the seat height, ’cause that can be a knee-killer.
That said, new ideas are cool. Maybe the cardboard bike will find a niche. I seriously doubt that it’s among serious commuters, racers, or mountain bikers. But if it gets more people cycling, it’s all good. Right?
Peggy
Jun 20, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Sam, it does seem a little scary, doesn’t it? It would probably have to go through a lot of testing before it ever reached the market.
And I agree, no giving up real bikes for mountain bikers, for sure. But I do think the idea is good, a cheap way to get more people cycling.
martha
Jun 21, 2008 at 10:00 am
I haven’t read about his specific bike, but there are so many things people are unaware of that can be made from ‘cardboard’. For example, there is a pressed engineered ‘cardboard’ that can be made into molding for use in your house, that looks just like and is almost as strong as wood. I work in a warehouse, and we sometimes get goods in on ‘cardboard’ pallets that are similar to this. They can wet, mix with recycled pallet wood or other strentheners (or not), and submit the material to extreme pressure and come out with a product that is extremely strong, smooth and not really at all like the conventional cardboard we all know. I’d bet this is what he’s trying to use. If you’ve ever used industrial warehouse materials, like the expansion wrap that they wrap skids up with, the wrap is wound around a cardboard tube. This tube is about 2′ tall and roughly 8 inches in diameter, and maybe 1/4 inch thick, and so very solid that you can’t dent it by stomping on it or wacking it very hard against something solid. With the relatively short frame pieces of a bike, the thickness of the tubing could be made almost solid, and would be very very strong, probably enough to support even chubby riders! :) it might even resist dents better than metal, and could be wrapped in a type of coating for color and waterproofing. of course, if it gets wet, it’s all over. :) good for this guy, hope he does it!
Peggy
Jun 21, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Hello Martha. I think he is using the more serious type of cardboard like you described. And he’s making it waterproof. I’d love to try one out in person one day.
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