When McClelland decided to make bamboo bicycles, he had no idea that he would not only change the face of sustainable mobility, but also provide a living for many others along the way.
Bryan learned about the possibilities and process of creating cycles during a trip to Africa in 2007, and with the help of his close ties to the country, he realised this innovation would have a better chance of success in the Philippines, where bamboo is naturally abundant.
Bryan remembers the first time he built a Bambike back in 2009, and he learnt that the inherent qualities in bamboo would translate into a bike frame and make it stiff enough to crank on and make for a smooth ride. Bryan recalls his initial days and mentions the biggest challenge was in understanding bamboo resources and finding the right type of bamboo industry to do the job, especially with his very limited knowledge of the Filipino language.
Today, a large number of artisans from Gawad Kalinga, a Filipino-based organisation, work under Bambike Revolution cycles to end poverty by providing long-term employment to the less fortunate. Bryan later established Bambike Revolution Cycles in 2010 with the goal of creating and enhancing sustainable mobility through the production and sale of handmade bamboo bikes. Bambike Revolution Cycles believe in creating a People- Planet-Progress Philosophy.
With the intent to advance further by distributing as many bamboo bikes as possible globally to as many people as possible, Bryan also says their mission is to create jobs for people who need them the most while also building the greenest products on the planet. Bambike is now focusing on cultivating sustainable tourism by educating tourists about cultural heritage and recommending environmentally friendly alternatives.
