Bamboo Bikes for kids – a gift that gives

30 Nov

Parent & Child Bonding

Most of us have memories of our parents teaching us how to ride a bike. And I am sure most of us parents would like to continue this practice with our own children. But why buy your child an ordinary bicycle when you can give your precious little one a bicycle that will teach about the importance of fitness, the beauty of nature and the gift of giving back to society.

Kawayan Tech Push Bikes

Kawayan Tech Push Bike is a pedal-less bike which one learns to ride by gliding first. The child’s confidence is developed as he or she controls the speed of the bike and the child’s core is developed, allowing the kid to maintain balance on the bike. From here, the kids graduate to a pedaled bike withOUT the need for training wheels!

Kawayan Tech Mountain Bike

You might be wondering about the durability of bamboo bikes and think that it wouldn’t be good for much except as decoration. However, bamboo is in fact inherently strong and after processing, is stronger than steel. In structural engineering tests, bamboo has a higher tensile strength than many alloys of steel, and possess higher compressive strength compared to many mixtures of concrete.

Kawayan Tech Bamboo Bike in Action

The Birth of Kawayan Tech:

In 2006, Hecky Villanueva, an urban anthropologist who was then based in Tucson, Arizona with his wife Tammy, was looking for a dissertation topic and learned about Gawad Kalinga (GK). He then decided to adopt this cause and even organized GK walks in Tucson and spearheaded 2 GK villages. In 2008, Hecky heard about bamboo bikes and became fascinated with the idea. He researched on it and realized that producing bamboo bikes would be a good business venture for himself, GK, and other Filipinos. So in 2009, together with his UP Mountaineer friends namely Boy Siojo, Eng Chan, John Climaco and Eric Cadiz, Hecky put up Kawayan Tech. They then invited over bike builder and designer Craig Calfee, through his Bamboosero program, to give a bamboo frame-building workshop. Armed with the proper technical knowledge, they are now ready to build their own bamboo bikes. Kawayan Tech has produced different kinds of bamboo bikes and has clients from Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland and the U.S. Sadly, Hecky passed away from aneurysm last November 2010. His equally committed wife Tammy has taken on his role in the company.

Gawad Kalinga is just the first community Kawayan Tech has partnered with. But the company has numerous plans and is bent on reaching out to other communities.

Hecky Villanueva and his Bamboo Bike

Why your child will love a Kawayan Tech Bike:

- Learning to ride a bike is a fun adventure.

- They get to spend quality time with parents.

- They will be proud to own a uniquely Filipino-made and beautiful bamboo bike.

- They learn about the value of nature. (Kawayan Tech’s slogan - We Grow Your Bikes!)

- They will be happy and proud knowing they are helping other people and supporting a social cause. (Kawayan Tech Bikes are made by the loving hands of GK Sitio Pajo residents)

5 year old boy on his bamboo bike

So, if you’re still thinking about what to give your child or your favorite “inaanak” this Christmas, consider giving this bike. It is not just a thing of beauty and Filipino innovation, but a gift that brings hope to other Filipinos this Christmas Season.