That’s right, if you want to be cool you must have a look a greener ride than a regular metal frame bike.  Bamboo bikes have been introduced to several countries in Africa and Asia where bamboo grows naturally, in a effort to help provide local economies with an inexpensive and sustainable way of getting around and riding a wave of prosperity.

Bike designer Craig Calfee of Santa Cruz, California, has spearheaded a project in Ghana where many of his bamboo bikes are made for local use and export to the U.S.   Bambooseros (bam-boo-sayros) are the bike producers who crank out the bikes at Craig’s workshops.

Why bamboo?  Bamboo is not only a renewable resource, it grows extremely fast and is super strong and durable alternative to metal.  After the bamboo is treated properly, it can withstand weather conditions most utilitarian bikes are used to.

Craig Calfee’s Bamboosero bikes are available in three styles (as of the date of this post):

• Road Bike – $425 for the frame or $925 to $2,000 for a complete bike
• Mountain/City Bike – $479 for the frame or $925 to $2,500 for a complete bike
• Cargo Bike – $759 for the frame or $1,200 to $2,500

My fave is the cargo bike, I have a fascination with cargo bikes being that I am from Holland (land of bikes) and would prefer to pull my entire house with my bike.

To visit Craig Calfee’s Bamboosero Bike site go to www.bamboosero.com

Check out these videos of Craig Calfee and his Bamboosero Bike Project.

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