Sorry I haven’t written in over a week. I took a little trip to the lovely country of Ireland. I’m back though and will have a blog post up next week with some money-saving travel ideas. But now…

I have to tell you about one of the most inspirational stories I have heard in some time. I truly think that bikes are one of the greatest inventions ever. They use no fuel and can funnel you to your destination very efficiently. They are also great for exercise. I always feel really good after nice little ride. Also, in my congested city it turns out that bikes can sometimes take you places faster than a car can get you there. Now that is cool. Bikes are also making a comeback as people move back into cities and fuel prices border on absurd. People are realizing once again the real value of having legitimate two-wheeled transportation.

In our day and age new inventions pop up all the time. There is always a new tablet, e-book reader, mp3 player, or cell phone that just hit the market. These inventions really just add a layer of usability and functionality that didn’t previously exist. They improve our lives incrementally but they don’t actually transform the playing field. There is one invention that has been making news recently though that really could change the way we approach travelling locally.

You can watch the video here about a man in Israel who has fashioned a bike almost entirely out of cardboard. He says that the cost of making one of these bikes is so small that the public could purchase one for about $20 even with all of the business entities involved making a profit. And once you buy one of these super light cardboard mechanisms, will it fall apart on you? Or just dissolve in the rain? The way Izhar Gafni(the inventor) has created these bikes they seem to be incredibly sturdy. They weigh just 20 pounds but can support a rider that weighs 24 times that. These bikes could also be an incredible tool around the world. This could create cheap transportation for people in countries everywhere, not just first world countries.

And what about upkeep? My current bike needs tire inflation, brake changes, new chains, and replacement of worn out parts. This cardboard bike seems to be nearly maintenance free. The recycled materials that are used seem to hold up well and since the chain is made out of an old timing belt it stands up better to usage. The tires, which don’t need any inflation, will apparently hold up for almost 10 years. That means that once you pay the $20 for the bike it should be the end of what you spend.

Who knows when you’ll actually see a cardboard bike in person. I haven’t seen any information on comfort level or how well they actually hold up as a commuter tool. Eventually those questions will be answered; but for now, just imagine the possibilities!