14 replies to this topic

[Hardison]

I found this neat little article about one man's ingenuity and persistence. There a great screen shot of the creator riding the bike on the link below.

Quote

Bike enthusiast and designer Izhar Gafni built a functioning bicycle out of cardboard. The inspiration came from a another inventor's cardboard canoe project.

Cardboard Bike

[Sugarhill]

Okay, I still wouldn't want to wear a helmet, but I would buy that bike. I'm assuming that it would be light enough to carry up stairs and into an apartment. I would really love a bike that I could safely and quickly take a part in like two snaps.

[ACSAPA]

This is awesome. It's always inspiring to see the kinds of amazing inventions people come up with. If they could bring these inexpensive bikes to a poor country then people could have a safe and cheap ride to work. Plus it's green, human-powered transportation.

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Ed posted that too in his Blog- more info there too.
http://www.altenergy...board-bike-r829

Thanks for this post too.

[FamilyTreeClimber]

That is really something!  I love it when the experts say that something can't be done and then someone solves it.  I wonder what the special coating is that makes it so sturdy? You would think cardboard would not be able to hold weight.

Sometimes solutions to problems are cheap.  I remember reading an articled about 3 years ago about a guy who wanted to help people in poor area get wheel chairs.  He saw how people in India scooted around on boards and he wanted to help them.   He knew he could not afford hundreds of wheel chairs.  That would be expensive.

He began working on a cheaper model that eventually cost about $10.  He used a plastic lawn chair and attached wheels to it.  He eventually got it to where it was a workable wheel chair.  He got an organization to help him deliver them to India.  I think he has sent hundreds, if not, thousands of these cheap, functional wheelchairs.  Probably not a very green idea because of the plastic chair, but I thought it was clever since he used basic materials to solve a problem.

[aspen]

Loved it though, I would rather ride my regular deadly treadly anytime off road.I can see it become a highschool project to develop drafting and engineering skills. Wouldn't you have loved to have built something like this rather than some of those other projects?  

[Shortpoet-GTD]

Hey, I know! Once we and our bike wears out, we can be buried in it.
http://www.altenergy...ount-me-in-lol/

[Sandra Piddock]

Shortpoet-GTD, on 29 July 2012 - 05:18 AM, said:

Hey, I know! Once we and our bike wears out, we can be buried in it.
http://www.altenergy...ount-me-in-lol/

Yes, that sounds like a plan, Shortpoet. Only one problem - will I be going to hell in a handcart or on the stairway to heaven? If I'm bound for downstairs, can the coating on the bike cope with the flames, do you think? And if I'm headed for the top floor, how does it cope with altitude? Very whimsical, and a little bit off topic, but it's very hot, so I'm cooling off with a vodka, which explains a lot.

Back on topic, it looks pretty impressive - especially as everyone said it couldn't be done. I'm sure it could be developed into something longer lasting and more viable.

[FamilyTreeClimber]

LOL Shortpoet...that would be the ultimate in reuse!

Aspen, this would be an incredible school project.  We used to make stuff in school, but nothing that was educational as well as fun to do.  A project like this bicycle could serve many purposes.  I like the idea of teaching kids things with real world applications.  You could learn so many things by planning and putting together something like this bicycle.   It would be a cheap project as well.  The materials would not be expensive to obtain.

[Pat]

That is very ingenious. I would like a light weight bike to carry up the stairs.  My concern would be the durability during rainy times of the months.

[aspen]

That canoe was so Kewl also. I bet that would be something else that would be popular. Maybe I'm just a big kid but I really would have loved to have built these things as a youngster.

Last year I needed a pin board for a display for our environmental group to use at an organic herb fair. I found an old washing machine cardboard box  I had for years that I could not bring myself throwing away. I cut the flaps off and one of the sides and was left with the shape of a Z. I attached legs from recycled strips of wood. It folds up, light ,can be used on both sides and is easy to transport. It's not waterproof but I just store it away with a large garbage bag over it ready for next time.

[artistry]

Excellent idea. I like the fact that he did not give up on his idea, after they told him to forget it. How great is that? Thanks very much for an inspiring story. Hope it multiplies for him.

[Hardison]

Shortpoet-GTD, on 28 July 2012 - 05:11 PM, said:

Ed posted that too in his Blog- more info there too.
http://www.altenergy...board-bike-r829

Thanks for this post too.

Thanks for that link. It lead to a site with more information. It's hard to believe that he thinks the bike would last at least 2 years or more. As soon as it's available, I will be in line to get one or two. I'm just amazed at the engineering. I never would have thought cardboard can be that strong.

[aphil]

I read the article and was suprised to see the invention is right here in my neck of the woods. It looks sturdy enough and I think it is a great idea. I appreciate his determination to make it work, despite the naysayers. This is an inexpensive mode of travel and could be very helpful to many.

[ACSAPA]

A great use for the $9 bike would be to provide cheap transportation for people in poor countries like Africa and India. Someone invented a $4,000 car that has no extras and is basically a glorified dune buggy so Africans can ride to work. But a $9 bike would help all the people who can't even afford a $4,000 car.