Twenty-one year old British University student Phil Bridge recently created a fully waterproof cardboard bike that is also fully recyclable. Though Bridge’s intentions were not initially “green,” this could be the most eco-friendly mode of transportation in London.
Bridge believes one reason people choose not to bike in London is a fear of having their bikes vandalized or stolen. Thus, his bike design began as a means of creating a bike that was so economical, so cheap, even thieves wouldn’t want it.
The bike itself has an interesting construction. The cardboard frame, made from a heavy-wearing cardboard, is waterproofed during manufacturing. There are steel wheel rims, crankset and tires, which simply slot into the cardboard frame. All of this for a whopping total of $30. “The expensive bits are the metal components,” he said. “I could do the frame, the fork and the wheels for about $8 — the cardboard components — all finished and assembled.”
Bridge feels this bike design is perhaps best for children “because you have less stresses involved,” he said. “Families could afford to change the frame every year as the child grows.” Bridge does not have any intentions, as of yet, to market his cardboard bikes.
