The practice of hotels offering bicycles for their guests’ convenience is far from a new one. The way Hilton London Bankside is doing it, however, is. The hotel’s twist on this fun amenity comes from its collaboration with local business Bamboo Bicycle Club. Based out of east London, the innovative company actually teaches people to build their own bamboo bicycles from scratch. In the case of the Hilton’s new additions, it was the hotel staff that we have to thank for putting together these beautiful, environmentally friendly bikes.
The Bamboo Bicycle Club’s process begins with digital design and testing. Once everything looks good—both in terms of aesthetics and functionality—a frame-building jig is set up. A bamboo tube is then cut using a mitered join, and the finished frame pieces are fixed together with a hemp composite wrap. Finally, waterproofing is done and elements such as the wheels and handlebars are added.
So, if you happen to find yourself in London, you might consider at least popping over to see what the fuss is all about. And if you’re not, you can always check out Hilton London Bankside or Bamboo Bicycle Club’s sites.
