this post was submitted on 19 Jun 2023
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Environment

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Can We Make Bicycles Sustainable Again? (solar.lowtechmagazine.com)
submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by metaltoilet to c/environment
 

A great read+great magazine.

TL;DR: Old bikes last way longer than new bikes. From a production standpoint, steel bikes have a smaller carbon footprint than aluminum or carbon frame bikes. Conventional bikes use fewer consumables over their usable life than electric bikes. Among electric bikes, cargo bikes use the most resources to run and maintain.

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[–] 01189998819991197253@infosec.pub 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Super interesting!

I believe that until capitalism makes it sustainable, the corporation will not make it sustainable.

[–] metaltoilet 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yep! I'd love to see indie bicycle companies grow. (homemade bikes too but those are more complicated)

[–] 01189998819991197253@infosec.pub 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I saw this guy a few years ago that provided STLs for a 3D printed bike that anyone with the proper printer can print. It was the specialized parts that you printed, and everything else was standard parts from the hardware store. I thought that was super cool. No clue what ever happened to that project.

[–] metaltoilet 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] 01189998819991197253@infosec.pub 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I really hope something like that can come back. The same can be done with cars, too. Why does every single model of the same friggin brand have different headlights or steering wheel shafts or whatever? You want to tell me that we've come such a long way in 6 months that warranted a brand new proprietary design? No. It's capitalism for the loss. I, for one, am tired of it. Tired of the trash this creates. Tired of the extra money we all have to spend. Tired of the extra storage space required for it all. Tired of all of it.

[–] kool_newt 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] 01189998819991197253@infosec.pub 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I love that guy!

I was talking more about the lamps themselves and less about the housing. The housing I get. For design purposes, they have to be different (also, better for the environment and for non-renewable resources). But the lamps can be the same socket and, thus, interchangeable. although, I wouldn't complain if the housing was the same, too, but not one with the lamp. Personally, I really liked the sealed beam look, but I do understand why it wasn't the best for the environment, and am glad we moved past. Maybe we'll get the selective beam as a standard soon. That thing was awesome.

[–] kool_newt 2 points 1 year ago

Ya I want selective beam!