Jun 30 2008Cardboard Bicycles Could Be Coming Soon
Remember the kid that built that wooden bike awhile ago? That thing was sweet and made from trees. And so is this one. Phil Bridge is a 21-year old Industrial Design student that developed a cardboard bicycle. The idea is to make bikes so cheap that nobody will be put off by the thought of buying a bike as a means of personal transportation.
A typical round town bike can cost several hundred pounds. That's a large investment for people who aren't sure whether they will use it. The idea of cardboard is to completely devalue the bike.
Phil's current prototype can hold up to 168-pounds (I'm out), costs $6 to manufacture (frame only, it uses a standard chain mechanism and wheels) and will cost about $24. Allegedly it's even rainproof. It is not, however, fireproof. So be sure to park it inside if you live near a volcano.
Cardboard Bicycle Costs Just $30, Don't Leave It Out in the Rain [gizmodo]
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Reader Comments
1. kelly - June 30, 2008 2:00 PM
lol weird
2. SmokingGirl - June 30, 2008 2:01 PM
I'll stick with my heavy steel bike, thank you very much.
3. matt - June 30, 2008 2:22 PM
Well seeing that the bike costs under 30 dollars to make, that will offset the cost of having a 2000 dollar dental bill for having your teeth kicked in cause you look like a douche riding this thing.
You're better off saving yourself the pain and just by a real bike.
Matt
4. Beowulf - June 30, 2008 2:46 PM
He needs to invest in some pedals.
5. bedot - June 30, 2008 2:50 PM
It's going to be hard to get very far without pedals.
Besides, that's nothing, I made a cardboard space shuttle when i was 6 years old.
6. deportivo - June 30, 2008 3:05 PM
*cardboard bike ruined with first rainstorm...*
7. Momboelitist - June 30, 2008 3:26 PM
As much as I think this is a worthless waste of time, I also believe it to be idiotic.
8. k.ris - June 30, 2008 4:10 PM
I can ride my bike with no handlebars.
no handlebars.
no handlebars
9. Freddy K - June 30, 2008 4:12 PM
wow, a bike for only $30. I think it has a bit more development needed before it has any type of mass appeal, still its a cool concept.
Still, why go that far when you can find one at a local garage sale for the same price.? I don't care if its a little small, pink and has those groovy handlebar trailers, and neither shoud anyone else.
10. mike - June 30, 2008 4:38 PM
great, now all those a$$holes need to steal my wheels is a boxcutter...GOOD JOB JACKASS
11. Michael - June 30, 2008 9:17 PM
good design - but the cost of a bicycle has never been my holdback to driving one. I mean if you can't afford a car, that's one thing - but if you can't afford a bike you probably drink your booze from a paper bag and can just steal one instead.
12. chuck - June 30, 2008 9:57 PM
hey, i live near a volcano. is this product safe for me?
13. guate6 - June 30, 2008 10:57 PM
It's a great concept, and much more affordable than cars. But when did it get to a point that we need to make 'cheaper bikes' ? Aren't they inexpensive already? I mean you can get brand new bikes, made of steel starting at $60 from walmart
The other kid, I support, because he did it on the "because I can" principle. This guy is doing it to mass produce them, make a bit of profit, and market this as "the answer to the question no one asked, and now that it's been asked, it's questionable."
Still though, good ingenuity. It's missing the entire crank and brakes, the seat is not adjustable (which means they'd have to be custom-fabricated), and the overall appeal isn't great. It needs a lot of work, but why not.
And as #9 mentioned, used bikes can be bought for that price regularly.
14. Joey - July 1, 2008 12:46 AM
This is good. What's next? The paper purse? Oh, wait, you already get those for free at any grocery store.
15. Momboelitist - July 1, 2008 10:34 AM
I like the plastic purses better.
Once my Supermarket ran out of plastic and they had to shut down the entire city....True story! And by true I mean fictional.
16. Garuda - July 2, 2008 11:20 AM
Soooo.....anyone over 5'10 wouldnt be able to ride without a starvation diet.