Hemp bikes prove to be a more eco-friendly alternative

Mogie

By: KATHERINE BURNSIDE, staff writer
Posted: 11/27/07
Just when bikes couldn't seem to get more eco-friendly, the green revolution has taken things one step further.

Bicycle companies such as Calfee Design, along with other companies like Surftech, a surfboard manufacturer, have switched from their usual production materials to more environmentally friendly substances.

After watching his dog attempt and fail to chew through a stalk of bamboo, designer Craig Calfee developed a line of bicycle frames made out of hemp and bamboo, said Calfee in a recent Los Angeles Times interview.

The idea of naturally made sports equipment is a positive opportunity for college campuses.

Commuter colleges like Cal Poly can look outside the box for environmentally friendly means of transportation.

The kinesiology department could reap the benefits of such equipment by linking physical education and green ideas.

"If attained, such equipment would be considered an advantage to the department of kinesiology," said Dr. Ken Hansen, a professor of kinesiology and health promotion. "In my classes specifically, I am always talking about how to integrate other subjects into the physical education curriculum. This would be a good example of how to tie physical education in with environmental awareness."

Physical education can be taken outside the classroom for recreational benefits as well.

"It's good to know that the environmental movement is spreading to athletics," said Elio Garcia, a third-year marketing student. "Knowing that I'm helping the environment as well as having fun sounds like an awesome idea."

Calfee describes his bike frames as tougher in terms of impact resistance and more absorbent of road vibrations, allowing cyclists to ride farther without tiring.

The surfboard industry is also making strides in using more environmentally friendly products.

Ninety percent of all surfboard blanks - unshaped and uncut boards - were previously produced by the company Clark Foam.

Since 2005, the company has been shut down because of constant complaints from the Environmental Protection Agency concerning the use of hazardous materials.

Companies like Surftech have now composed blanks out of less toxic materials.

The new and improved surfboards are said to last 10 times longer and are more durable than the polyester resin boards. The downside to the boards is the cost. An epoxy surfboard costs $450 to $700, which is 10 to 20 percent more expensive than surfboards sold now.

Sports equipment, such as soccer balls, are also going green.

With rubber harvesting depleting forests, many manufacturers are switching from synthetic leather to an FSC-certified rubber. This means it has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and the rubber is from a responsibly managed forest.

Fair Trade Sports uses the certified rubber for both the inner bladder and coating of the balls.

"Given that about 300 grams out of the typical 420 gram full-size soccer ball is rubber, it was the best place to start building eco-friendliness into the product," said Scott James, founder of Fair Trade Sports, in a Los Angeles Times article.

James said his products are moderately priced from $30 to $60.

With sports equipment going green, more people may get involved with helping the environment while having fun as well.

"I would totally buy more sports equipment now, knowing that it's going to help the environment," said Saggy Sothsavanh, a second-year psychology student.

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