German company igus has unveiled the RCYL bicycle, made from recycled plastic including discarded fishing nets, providing an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional bicycles.
RCYL bicycle
Eco-friendly and durable
RCYL is an innovative bicycle made of 92% made of plastic, half of which is made from recycled materials. The use of recycled plastic reduces the negative impact on the environment and promotes the concept of a circular economy. Durable plastic components, including ball bearings, are lubrication-free and highly wear-resistant, ensuring long bike life.
Development and production
The idea of creating an all-plastic bicycle originated with Frank Blaze, head of the company igus, in 2009 in the USA, where he was faced with the problem of rapid wear and tear of rental bicycles. Since the prototype's release in 2022, the engineering team has worked to increase the proportion of plastic components. Partner company MTRL has launched production of the first 100 RCYL units, and igus itself is building a line to produce 10,000 bicycles annually.
Specifications and cost
The initial production model RCYL weighs 17 kg and costs 1200 euros excluding electric drive and battery. In the future, igus plans to release an electric version of the bicycle. The company continues to work to increase the share of recycled plastic in construction to 75%, and in the future up to 100%.
Glossary
- igus is a German company, manufacturer of plastic products, developer of the RCYL bicycle.
- RCYL is an all-plastic bicycle from igus, made from recycled materials.
- MTRL is a partner company that is producing the first 100 units of RCYL bikes.
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Discussion of the topic – Revolutionary eco-friendly bike RCYL: plastic in action!
The long-awaited RCYL eco-friendly bike has finally entered production. This innovative bike is made entirely from recycled plastic, making it not only environmentally friendly, but also extremely durable.
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Alisa
Cool, an all-plastic bicycle made from recycled plastic 🌍 This initiative could be a great solution to environmental pollution problems. Although not cheap, it is environmentally friendly 💚
Hans
Wow, this idea is completely crazy! Plastic bike? Is this even safe? What if it melts in the sun? 🥵 As for me, good old steel frames are better.
Jeanne
I would love to buy a bike like this! 🚲 I think this is a great recycling idea. And the low weight of the plastic must make it a lot easier to control. All we have to do is wait for the electric version! 😍
Carlos
I don't see anything wrong with this. Plastic is a very durable material; it is even used in aircraft construction. The main thing is to think through the design well. And from an environmental point of view, this is great! 👏 We litter too much on the planet.
Stefan
Looks like another fashionable whim of the rich 💰 They specially developed an expensive toy to make them feel like cool environmentalists. What's the point? The bicycle should be an accessible means of transport, not an indulgence for the elite.
Igor
Why make a bike entirely out of plastic? 🤔 Couldn't you use regular metal parts and use plastic only for the frame and minor components? It would be cheaper and more reliable that way. Otherwise it turns out to be some kind of complete overkill for the sake of the idea itself...
Gunther
Hmm, these newfangled things don't impress me 👎 The bicycle was already invented a hundred years ago, and nothing has changed about it since then. Why these flashy innovations? Expensive, unreliable, ridiculous. I’d rather take a good classic bike and go 🚴♂️
Mia
I think this is a super cool thing! 🤩 The plastic bike is lightweight, does not rust, and the use of recycled materials is simply amazing 🌳 I would love to support such an eco-project! The main thing is that the price is reasonable.
Pietro
In my opinion, it would be more logical to use carbon fiber or carbon fiber instead of plastic 🤔 They are lighter and stronger, they have been used in the bicycle industry for a long time. Regular plastic is too fragile for driving on rough terrain and uneven roads.
Maria
Recycling waste is, of course, great 👍 But don’t forget about the emissions from the production of plastic itself. It would be an idea to completely use bioplastics from plant materials. Then the bike would become truly environmentally friendly! 🌿
Vasyl
I spent many years cycling and riding, so I know what I’m talking about 🚴 A plastic bike is a step back, not forward. Lighter, yes, but much less strong and reliable than good steel or titanium frames. We need to look towards new ultra-light alloys, and not at cheap plastic. 💯
Anna
I'm just in love with the concept of an eco-friendly bike made from recycled plastic 😍 Projects like this give us hope that not all is lost for our planet. It would be great if other manufacturers followed this path. I will definitely buy myself RCYL!
Luca
In general, nothing new. I think they made plastic bicycles back in the 80s. 🤔 Yes, the material in this case is recycled, but I don’t see a big revolution. Even the electric version is not very impressive. More like a PR stunt.
Ola
As for me, a plastic bike is not bad for entertainment and rides in the park. But it is not suitable for serious sports or tourism purposes. 🚵♀️ Higher strength and better shock-absorbing properties are needed. And in the city it’s better to take an electric bike if you want plastic.