It's sometimes painful to watch the big automakers scrambling to right their collective ship, coming out with prototype vehicles like GM and Segway's lovechild, the P.U.M.A. (granted, my colleague Steve Puma—no relation—noted that it is a step in the right direction). But on the flip side, it's a joy to hear about cool startups like Zambikes and Bamboosero.
Vaughn Spethmann founded Zambikes in an effort to develop both employment opportunities and appropriate transportation for Zambians. Not only did he and his Zambian bike-builders create standard steeds, they also created innovative designs including the "Zambulance," designed to carry sick people to hospitals in places where other means of transportation aren't adequate or always available.
As described in this BBC piece, the companies are working with enterprising Africans to produce bikes—including mountain and cargo bikes with a bamboo frame—in Zambia and Ghana. They are sold in Africa and the US.
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