Bamboo bicycles may be the driver to a pollution-free future. Engineered by Ugandan craftsman Noordin Kasoma, the eco-friendly Boogaali Bikes are solely produced from durable and sturdy bamboo trees. “The raw materials used to create a bicycle frame are not always environmentally friendly,” he says. With his bikes, Kasoma aims to steer his country toward more efficient and accessible travel.
Starting out as an electrician, Kasoma redirected his career trajectory to pursue his passion for sustainability. “Bamboo bicycles don't pollute as much as carbon fibre, steel and aluminium bikes, and the raw material is renewable,” he says. While using bicycles instead of cars effectively reduces carbon emission, it’s the manufacturing process that negatively impacts the environment. Bamboo is lightweight, strong, and has a footprint less than 50% of aluminium and 30% of steel. To reduce deforestation, Kasoma plants and harvests his own bamboo trees. “Affordable and sustainable transportation is what I have dedicated my life to,” he says.
Kasoma’s innovative design is adapted for a diversity of terrains, be it off-road adventures or inner city commuting. In 2018 his bikes made it to the global stage with one mountain biker using it during the Iceman Cometh competition in the United States. Through Boogaali Bikes, Kasoma is making mobility greener. His next goal is to open a school to impart his craftsmanship and instill environmental consciousness among Ugandan youth. “My biggest dream is to see the bamboo bicycles in the streets growing,” Kasoma says.
Footage and photos by Boogaali Bikes were used in the creation of this film.
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