BAMBOO BIKES COME OF AGE IN CRISIS
Apart from its utility, cycling appeals to modern eco warriors as it helps minimize one’s carbon footprint
As the pandemic created hurdles on public mobility and safety, the need for alternative ways of commuting has revived the interest and excitement over cycling.
In the Philippines, more people are riding on the popularity of bicycles with imports soaring to 2.1 million units, more than double than the previous year’s 1 million.
Apart from its utility, cycling appeals to modern eco warriors as it helps minimize one’s carbon footprint.
Bambike Revolution Cycles, a socio-ecological enterprise, has been fueling sustainable mobility and tourism in the country since it first hit the road in 2010.
Driven by passion for People, Planet and Progress, it has been encouraging riders to use bicycles more responsibly through the use of bamboo bikes, which are handmade by talented craftsmen from a community in Victoria, Tarlac that is part of Gawad Kalinga, a Filipino development organization that aims to end poverty by giving long-term livelihood to the less fortunate.
Green cycles
“Our mission is to build the greenest products on the planet while creating jobs for some of the people that need them the most,” shares Bryan Benitez McCelland, the founder of Bambike.
For the social entrepreneur, building Bambike into a global brand is the best way to deliver its positive impact to more people and communities around the world.
Bambikes is headquartered in Intramuros, Manila, where its ecotours first became popular among locals and tourists as it offered the opportunity to pedal along the city’s Spanish colonial heritage and cultural landmarks.
Now, Bambike is on the move to expand to new locations across the country. Recently, it rolled out Green Spark Guimaras, offering a novel route to explore the idyllic island. Next stop is in Batangas, where Bambike Ecotours will take you on a coastal ecosystem experience that explores farms, forests, beaches, and even snorkeling at coral reefs!
Conquering international shores, Bambike has also provided a custom fleet of bamboo bicycles to a hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia so guests can enjoy scenic attractions sustainably and in style.
Gearing up for global challenge
“Our plan is to continue innovating our bike models and business operations to best meet global market demands.” Bryan shared that currently, the company is producing only about 30 units per month because hand-making the bikes is labor-intensive. Enhancing its manufacturing process and collaborating with a reliable logistics provider like FedEx would help them attain higher volume production and wider cross-border distribution.
“FedEx has been a great logistics provider for us because of their professional services and international reach. We know that when we send out our products to customers in any destination, they will receive their orders fast, safe and intact.”