Bamboocycle: A Sustainable Urban Bicycle

published in: Vehicles By Ricardo Hernandez, 18 September 2010

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Image Courtesy of Bamboocycles

Reducing your ecological footprint seems to be a cultural value that will carry us for a very long time. Designers from all over the world are utilizing this value as a driver for innovation and reinterpretation, so perhaps, us consumers can join in the change. Diego Cárdenas , an industrial designer based in Mexico City, has reinterpreted the common bicycle into a more sustainable product. By replacing the metal body of the bicycle with bamboo, it reduces energy and emissions of CO2 while generating 30% more of oxygen, which makes bamboo a more efficient air purifier than trees. Bamboo is strong, flexible and light which makes it a great substitute for wood or steel, depending on the project.

Image Courtesy of Bamboocycles

"Bamboo is a biodegradable & renewable resource that can be sustainably harvested as it grows quickly and naturally without much maintenance. In addition, it can completely regenerate without replanting, requires no pesticides or other chemicals it has its own antibacterial agent and grows so easily that even tolerates drought and flood conditions. Because of its rapid growth and root structure, bamboo prevents soil erosion and, in a very short time, aid recovery from overgrazing torn land, rebuilding and cleaning the floor of toxins. We couldn't think of any other material more appropriate for the design." Diego Cárdenas

Image Courtesy of Bamboocycles

The Bamboocycle UH-02 is an urban cycle created with a sustainable and responsible design process. UH-02 is simple, light (8.8kg) and stylish. It is designed for your daily commute to work, an adventure through the city or leisure riding on the weekends. It is designed to look and feel fresh in the urban visual culture and it comes in many different colors and styles to match your personality. The bamboo comes from Veracruz and it is carefully selected and treated to afford the maximum quality to the product and user.

Image Courtesy of Bamboocycles

The unions or joints are made out of steel and reinforced with carbon fiber. The entire process is done by hand to ensure an intimate and unique look that makes Bamboocycle a great alternative in urban transportation. Fly by the clunky cars stalled in the congestion of the city and make a statement in style but most importantly in how you are doing your part to help out the environment. I sure have my favorite picked out and looking forward to their launch very soon.

Image Courtesy of Bamboocycles

Image Courtesy of Bamboocycles

Image Courtesy of Bamboocycles

Image Courtesy of Bamboocycles

sources:

Bamboocycles

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Diego Cárdenas

About Diego Cárdenas

Diego Cárdenas is a 24 year old industrial designer from Mexico City. He completed studies at the CIDI (Center of Investigation in Industrial Design) and studied at the UNAM Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. He completed a course of Bamboo with Toshiyuki Kita in 2007,  Boisbuchet, Francia and an internship at Omelette with director Héctor Galván (2008).

[official website]
TAGS: Bicycles
  • friend
    petriza | 2010-09-18 17:58:55

    didn't ross lovegrove designed the same thing for Biomega?

  • friend
    andrea | 2010-09-18 21:17:32

    i really loved bamboocycles! where can i get one?

  • friend
    Nick | 2010-09-20 03:39:37

    beautiful, light and strong. let's hope this becomes the new ordinary.

  • friend
    roberto | 2010-09-20 21:49:30

    Those 6 pieces of bamboo make me feel that the world will now be able to sustain itself. thank you bike.

  • friend
    abelardo perez | 2010-09-21 04:16:00

    where can we get one !!

  • friend
    Reg | 2010-09-21 10:14:20

    Petrizia, you're right about Biomega. See: http://www.bikebiz.com/news/30470/Biomega-displays-bamboo-bike-by-ber-designer.

  • friend
    Claire | 2011-03-02 08:45:45

    This is a good start. I don't understand the specific claim that the bike "generates 30% more oxygen," when the bamboo itself is no longer alive.

  • friend
    Carolina | 2011-05-09 02:30:12

    It's been 5 years since I first saw a bamboo bike. It was in Brazil, at the Industrial Design course of PUC-Rio. So that's no news to me, but still a good idea!

  • friend
    KOYKOYRIS AKIS | 2012-01-21 22:22:02

    ειναι τελιο δεν ξερω πως να το αποκτισω

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