Green Bike products from our favourite green bike companies
Aren't all bike products green?
No, and some are more green than others.
Below are some products that make riding a bike a little
Green Grips
Green grips are a green alternative to petrochemical grip tape. They are also made from organic cotton.
They work well, and unlike plastic like grip tape, breath nicely. You can even put them on your compost bin when they wear out!
Pedalite Baglite
Following the success of the pedal power dynamo light, the boffins at Pedalite have come up with a solar powered rucksack light. The Baglite fits to a rucksack, and contains three high-tech solar panels. These charge up power cells when it is light, even from indoor lighting, to power two white front lights, and a bright red light at the back.
No batteries, no fuss!
Jimi Eco-Wallet
Branded as 'the wallet for people who hate wallets' the 'Jimi' is a slimed down outdoor sports wallet. As well as supporting environmental causes, the product, and even the packaging it comes in are made from 100% recycled plastic.
The Jimi is great if you simply don't carry much, and ride in wet places. The casing is water resistant, and snow proof though we've yet to test the latter - ironically we got one to test after the UK's biggest snow fall for a decade!
The Jimi holds up to five cards, and three bank notes. An added advantage is that you can show your ID through the wallet, without opening it- the Jimi is semi-transparent.
Great for nights out when you don't want to carry much, and bursts on your bike when you only need ID and and a note or card for a snack. Water and drink resistant, and 100% recycled.
Mule Bars
Mule Bars are great! With Fairtrade ingredients and made by a green company that gives to environmental causes, the Mule Bars is the energy bar for today's rider.
Do they work? Yes! Mule Bars have had great reviews in the cycling press. At Green Oil UK a courier had an empty stomach. However, one Mule Bar allowed him to take delivery by bike, and return, and not feel hungry for two hours.
On a holiday in Norfolk, at the the solar powered, wood heated Deepdale Backpackers centre, Mule Bars fueled our bike rides along the seafront and the long beaches. Mule Bar is the energy bar of the future.
PlantLock
No garage? No shed? Plant lock is the answer! Using a 'PlantLock' is a great way to protect your bike from theft. The alternative is getting an old 'Sheffield Stand' (one of those 'n' shaped things) from a skip during a bike shed renovation, then digging it into the ground and using cement.
With a PlantLock, it is much easier, and environmentally friendly. Cement is carbon intensive in its production. A plant lock is instead weighed down by earth and plants. Simply fill it up with soil, plant your favourite herbs, and lock your bike to it safely. The side bars which you lock the bike to are tempered, hardened boron steel - so they can't be cut through with a hacksaw, file or practically anything else.
The PlantLock is a sturdy, green product to lock your bike to. It will even absorb carbon dioxide from the air whilst your bike is locked to it! If you haven't got anything to lock your bike to, get a Plant Lock today, or pester your land lord for one!
ECOutlet Recycled Bicycle Clips
These bicycle clips (clips that hold your trouser leg away from your oily chain) are an innovation in being green. However, they are also innovative in being a high quality product in a previously dormant sector. Bicycle clip makers have not been the most creative in the world, with the clips churned out today being just laminated versions of those made 30 years ago, except made in China.
Then along come ECOutlet! ECOutlet's clips are made out of reclaimed bicycle inner tubes. They are comfortable, providing stretch and flexibility. Additionally they are wide, which keeps your trouser leg tucked in nicely. They also have neat little fasteners, making them easy to put on, and secure.
ECOutlet's guilt free, Recycled Bicycle Clips are the most practical way of stopping your trousers getting Green Oil on them. Get your unique pair from ECOutlet.co.uk today.
Pedalite
Do you ride at night? Do you worry about the hassle associated with dynamo lights?
Ever been hit from the side by a car that could not see you?
Pedalite, the dynamo pedal light is the solution, also solving the need for batteries.
Pedalites use a fraction of a per cent of your pedal power. This powers a flashing white light at the front, an orange light at the side and a red flashing light at the back.
Just 'fit and forget'.
Nokian Tyres
This Finish company was bizarrely until 1988 part of Nokia, the phone company. Nokian is now a green tyre company.
Most tyre companies have shifted production to poor countries. This is because labour standards and human rights laws are weak. Environmental regulations are also lacking, which is great if you want to make something like tyres which potentially create excessive pollution you don't want to pay to clean up!
In China, air and water pollution is causing suffering for thousands of people and destroying wildlife. In the EU there are laws restricting which chemicals can be used and released. To get around EU law, many tyre companies have gone to China and other poor countries, to cut costs.
Nokian have not.
Nokian uses non-toxic rubber.
Nokian tyres are subject to EU environmental law.
Nokian tyres are made in Finland.
Aquaduct Bike
The 'Innovate or Die' competition held by Google and Specialized Bikes of the USA produced a team who have solved both the transport, and the water problems of Africa.
A bike that cleans water? Amazing.
Bike Companies (who make complete bikes)
Moulton Bicycles Inc and Pashley Cycles Ltd came top in Ethical Consumer magazine's bike company rank (Issue November/December 2007).
www.pashley.co.uk
www.alexmoulton.co.uk
www.ethicalconsumer.org
Bamboo Bikes
Bamboo is one of the world's fastest growing crops. Mining for metal, and the energy used to extract it from ore is not the most environmentally friendly thing, but until now a necessary sacrifice for the greater good of building bikes.
RAW Bamboo Bike's have similar strength and weight properties as their carbon fibre (and more engery intensive) rivals.
A revolution could be around the corner...
Bike Recycling
Some universities and companies as recently as two years ago disposed of old bicycles using a skip. Now, bikes can be recycled and either sold, or given to those less fortunate.
Green Oil UK now also have belts made from used bike, made here in England with belts reclaimed from bike shops.
www.Re-Cycle.org
www.Jole1000.org
www.OxfordCycleWorkshop.org.uk
www.Recyke-y-Bike.org
www.bikerecycling.net
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