This is Randi Hacker with another Postcard from Abroad from the KU Centers for East Asian Studies and Kansas African Studies.

What material grows quickly, is lighter and has more tensile strength than steel, and has antibacterial properties? If you guessed bamboo, you’re right! That’s why a company called Booomers International in Ghana, is using bamboo to make bicycle frames. Bicycle designer Craig Calgee trained local Ghanaians to make the bikes each of which takes 40 hours to complete, Originally marketed through Calgee’s company, Booomers CEO Kwabena Danso now has distributors across Europe and Australia, and is looking to enter the US market. While the export market is clearly successful, the company is taking steps to be sure they are affordable to locals as well. By the way, the bamboo bike company also makes bike baskets and bamboo bicycle stands. That’s quite a bam-booming business!

With thanks to Mackenzie Jones for this text, from the KU Center for East Asian Studies, this is Randi Hacker. Wish you were here.

Source:

http://thisisafrica.me/future-cycling-bamboo-bikes-ghana/

http://www.booomers.com/