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kpete

(71,994 posts)
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 06:30 PM Oct 2012

$20.00 Cardboard bicycle can change the world, says Israeli inventor

Cardboard bicycle can change the world, says Israeli inventor

http://l2.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/.JVk5.ad18rfezbun.G5Eg--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Y2g9MjMzMztjcj0xO2N3PTM1MDA7ZHg9MDtkeT0wO2ZpPXVsY3JvcDtoPTQyMDtxPTg1O3c9NjMw/


Elmish said the business model they had created meant that rebates for using "green" materials would entirely cancel out production costs and this could allow for bicycles to be given away for free in poor countries.

..............................

"Because you get a lot of government grants, it brings down the production costs to zero, so the bicycles can be given away for free. We are copying a business model from the high-tech world where software is distributed free because it includes embedded advertising," Elmish explained.

"It could be sold for around $20, because (retailers) have to make a profit ... and we think they should not cost any more than that. We will make our money from advertising," he added.
Elmish said initial production was set to begin in Israel in months on three bicycle models and a wheelchair and they will be available to purchase within a year.

"In six months we will have completed planning the first production lines for an urban bike which will be assisted by an electric motor, a youth bike which will be a 2/3 size model for children in Africa, a balance bike for youngsters learning to ride, and a wheelchair that a non-profit organization wants to build with our technology for Africa," he said.


http://news.yahoo.com/cardboard-bicycle-change-world-says-israeli-inventor-090732689.html

24 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
$20.00 Cardboard bicycle can change the world, says Israeli inventor (Original Post) kpete Oct 2012 OP
what happens when it gets wet? Liberal_in_LA Oct 2012 #1
This? DJ13 Oct 2012 #2
BWAH! bigwillq Oct 2012 #11
That looks like a bad bike accident! n/t Yo_Mama Oct 2012 #15
Nothing. They soaked one for months with no effect. porphyrian Oct 2012 #5
It's waterproof. surrealAmerican Oct 2012 #7
Here's a video: tuvor Oct 2012 #3
That's pretty amazing! MelissaB Oct 2012 #8
Thanks lovemydog Oct 2012 #21
K&R HopeHoops Oct 2012 #4
I want one. Not that color, though. n/t porphyrian Oct 2012 #6
What happens when it gets wet? taterguy Oct 2012 #9
Apparently nothing - IDemo Oct 2012 #10
You go off the side of the road and crash... madinmaryland Oct 2012 #17
Just like Romo against the Ravens taterguy Oct 2012 #18
Cardboard used in a car... call me skeptical nadinbrzezinski Oct 2012 #12
Awesome idea! underoath Oct 2012 #13
Kick & recommended. William769 Oct 2012 #14
Wow!! greytdemocrat Oct 2012 #16
Really Interesting Franker65 Oct 2012 #19
I want one too lovemydog Oct 2012 #20
zOMG, i want like 20 of them. bike thieves in UC Davis and Berkeley would be pissed! NuttyFluffers Oct 2012 #22
K&R. Very cool. n/t Egalitarian Thug Oct 2012 #23
I wonder if he's tried riding it for a period of months jmowreader Oct 2012 #24
 

porphyrian

(18,530 posts)
5. Nothing. They soaked one for months with no effect.
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 07:01 PM
Oct 2012

The cardboard is coated with some kind of eco-friendly something and painted, so it's sealed.

tuvor

(15,663 posts)
3. Here's a video:
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 06:56 PM
Oct 2012

The gentleman was featured on CBC Radio's Spark program a couple of weeks ago, and this video was referenced:

IDemo

(16,926 posts)
10. Apparently nothing -
Mon Oct 15, 2012, 08:22 PM
Oct 2012
In testing the durability of the treated cardboard, Gafni said he immersed a cross-section in a water tank for several months and it retained all its hardened characteristics.

Franker65

(299 posts)
19. Really Interesting
Tue Oct 16, 2012, 06:25 AM
Oct 2012

That looks really cool but there's just something about a metal bike...I wouldn't drive a cardboard car. I wouldn't trust a cardboard bike.

NuttyFluffers

(6,811 posts)
22. zOMG, i want like 20 of them. bike thieves in UC Davis and Berkeley would be pissed!
Tue Oct 16, 2012, 06:30 AM
Oct 2012

oh noes, you stole my inexpensive, replaceable bike...

i'd just litter these bikes all about metros just like the old ugly yellow bike share-a-bike plan in Berkeley, use a bike, drop it off, let someone else use a bike. this bike'd be so cheap it's not even worth the money to recycle off the parts!

jmowreader

(50,559 posts)
24. I wonder if he's tried riding it for a period of months
Tue Oct 16, 2012, 05:01 PM
Oct 2012

Cardboard is made out of cellulose fibers. When you stress cellulose, eventually the fibers separate and the cardboard comes apart. (Yes, they can reuse boxes--but boxes aren't stressed. This will be.) A cardboard bike is no great deal if you need a new one four times a year.

This guy would be a hell of a lot better off coming up with some sort of inexpensive recycled plastic (PET bottles come to mind) that can be reinforced with...oh, why not hemp?...to make a cheap, eco-friendly sort of fiberglass.

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