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Bamboo bikes to start a journey

A bamboo bicycle… said to be stronger and lighter than equivalent metal bikes and more comfortable.
A bamboo bicycle… said to be stronger and lighter than equivalent metal bikes and more comfortable.
YOUNG homeless people with an interest in bicycles and starting their own business are the target for the Ethical Wheels social enterprise.

In a bid to create permanent solutions to homelessness in Canberra, the Ted Noffs Foundation has initiated the only bamboo bicycle production company in Australia called Ethical Wheels.

It will be set up as a co-operative, initially owned and operated by two individuals who have an interest in business and bicycles, and struggle with homelessness.

ACT senior manager of the Ted Noffs Foundation, Ronan O’Connor, believes that the co-operative has the potential to spread throughout the country.

“Initially, this will be established here in Canberra, but hopefully other co-operatives will pop up across Australia,” he says.

Established in the 1970s, the Ted Noffs Foundation offers comprehensive life-management programs and social enterprises to equip youth in need with the skills to better manage their own lives.

The bamboo frames will be imported from Ghana, where the Yonso Project employs young people and provides them with skills and experience, while the profits support a local primary school and a medical centre.

Once in Australia, the co-operative will build custom bamboo bicycles, to be called Grass Bicycles, which will be sold online, and eventually through pop-up shopfronts in Canberra and across Australia.

Co-founder Greg Baines says the bikes, made from bamboo grass, are  guaranteed for two years.

“They are stronger and lighter than equivalent metal bikes and are more comfortable,” says Greg. “It’s quite a unique experience.”

The first shipment of frames will arrive in a couple of weeks. They should be available for pre-order in December and on sale in the New Year.

Ronan says the initiative is designed to tackle the role that mental illness plays in homelessness.

“When people suffer with mental illness, it can be hard for them to make a go of it, whereas using the co-operative model gets them to combine their strengths and creates a small supportive community for them,” he says.

“We are aiming to bring in experts in finance, marketing and bike building to teach them how to run their own business.”

Funded by ACT social housing to target people in the 16-25 age group, shares in Ethical Wheels will be owned by members of the co-operative, and can be sold at any time.

“This co-operative model will also promote more democratically run businesses,” says Greg.

More information from Ronan O’Connor on 6123 2401 or 0488 233851, or Greg Baines on 0481 528354 or email ethicalwheels@gmail.com

 

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