First cardboard restaurants, now cardboard bicycles–Israeli inventor Izhar Gafni spent years developing a bicycle that is made almost completely of cardboard and sells for a mere $20.

No metal parts will be used on the final product, which will go into production in the next few months. The bicycle is composed of an entirely organic “secret concoction” that makes it durable, waterproof, fireproof and recyclable.

Each unit will cost an estimated $9 to produce, so Gafni and his partner Nimrod Elmish can manufacture locally instead of outsourcing to cheap labour markets. Elmish believes this will change the future of production.

The bicycles will come in three different models and a wheelchair. Planning is underway for an urban bike which comes with an electric motor and a 2/3 size model for children in Africa.

Gafni sees the future in cost-effective cardboard and says his invention is just the beginning.

____

Mollie Paige writes for the Toronto Standard. You can follow her on twitter @MolliePB

For more, follow us on Twitter @TorontoStandard and subscribe to our newsletter.