CIAO DATE: 02/2010
December 2009
Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment
Launching a bamboo bicycles initiative would have numerous economic benefits for the Kisumu region, particularly with respect to job creation among the youth. Because the project aims to source the bamboo locally, the potential also exists to stimulate the nascent bamboo industry, thereby helping raise the average income level of farmers in many rural areas. Environmental benefits could take place in both the early and late points of production: growing bamboo helps prevent soil erosion, purifies water and air and generates little waste, while production does not use harmful chemicals. Finally, there are positive social externalities. For instance, with bamboo bikes, community health workers and parents would gain access to a more durable and affordable means of transporting the sick to clinics and students to schools.
Resource link: Bamboo Bikes in Kisumu, Kenya [PDF] - 1.5M