An Israeli engineer has designed an innovative new bicycle made entirely of cardboard. It’s great-looking, strong (it can hold riders up to 300 pounds), and cheap to make—the engineer estimates the production cost is around $9. But is it as eco-friendly as it claims?
The bike I ride was made in the late 1960s or early 1970s. In a true life-cycle analysis to measure sustainability, how long something lasts is an important factor. Some studies have said that manufacturing a typical bicycle emits around 500 pounds of greenhouse gases. But every time someone rides the bike, the “emissions per mile” drops. A bike that’s been used as long as mine is completely carbon-neutral. Even a new bike will become carbon-neutral in less than a year if you’re commuting a couple of miles on it each day.
A study by an MIT masters’ student found that riding an ordinary bike is just as environmentally-friendly as walking, when all factors are considered (walking has an environmental footprint because of the food it takes to fuel us). So do you need a cardboard bike? It’s undoubtedly low on emissions to make, though the cardboard does have a plastic coating. But how long will it last? If something breaks, how can it be repaired?
I’d argue that a used (metal) bike is just as sustainable as one made of cardboard, and maybe it’s even better. It’s also possible to find a used bike at about the same price as the new cardboard bike, which is estimated to run about $60. If you already have a bike? Keep it, don’t replace it, and ride it—it’s more than ten times better than a car.
Image: screenshot from Vimeo video by Giora Kariv