Being told numerous times by engineers that it was impossible, bike enthusiast Izhar Gafni has successfully designed a fully functioning bicycle out of cardboard. Using the principles of origami, this slick recycled cycle can support up to 485 lbs. and it uses a mere $9 of industrial grade cardboard. It has been weather proofed with a layer of coating which gives it a smooth plastic look and feel. Over the last 3 years, Izhar has created 4 protoypes including a training version for youngsters. He is now working on establishing a company to mass produce these economical and ecological friendly mode of transportations on the streets around the world by next year.
His long time friend, Giora Kariv has made a wonderful documentary on the project and sees it as a pivotal moment in the history of bicycles.
“It’s going to be a game-changer in the bike world. Like Henry Ford who made the car available to anybody, this bike is going to be cheap and available to any child in the world, including children in Africa who walk dozens of miles to school everyday.”
Izhar cardboard bike project from Giora Kariv on Vimeo.
