Cardboard Design Makes Cycling Even More Green?

Architizer News

Cardboard Design Makes Cycling Even More Green?

July 27, 2012

There is usually a certain clever ingenuity that is expected in the work of cycling enthusiasts, piecing together frames and spare parts to perfect the design of their preferred method of transportation. Even so, designer Izhar Gafni’s new bicycle is in a league of its own, in what that can be described as nothing short of resourceful, Gafni created a design with a cardboard structure that costs less than $10 to manufacture.

Izhar cardboard bike project from Giora Kariv on Vimeo.

Like any bicycle, the rider still engages in physical activity while also preventing pollution (on their part, at least). But since the chief component of the bike is recycled and used cardboard, Gafni’s design presents an even greener alternative. With the cardboard folded in an origami-like fashion, the bike is both structurally sound (able to transport up to 300 lbs) and resistant to water and humidity. By far the most attractive aspect of Gafni’s bicycle is the price, and with such a low production cost the designer estimates that the bike can be sold to consumers for $60 to $90, depending on additional parts and accessories such as a removable engine. The low cost is especially attractive to city dwellers where bike theft is a common occurrence, with potential profit for thieves greatly lessened by the inexpensive cycle. However, if the worst does happen, hopefully the sting of the theft will be eased when the rider remembers how (relatively) small their initial investment was.