After embarking on a tour to the Silk Road on his bamboo bike, SMU undergraduate Chuah Sun Soon and his friend decided to enter a niche market to sell their own bamboo bikes. Inspired by the strength of bamboo while serving his National Service, Mr Chuah decided to combine this inspiration with his love for travelling by riding through the Silk Road on a bamboo bike in 2011. The trip had affirmed the strength of the bamboo bicycle and Bamboo Bee bicycles was set up. Mr Chuah said, “The bamboo bike’s ability to absorb shocks makes it a stable ride. Furthermore, the different sections of bamboo result in the bicycles appearing more unique.” A bamboo bicycle costs between $900 to $1000 and customised bamboo bicycles cost more. After a year of R&D and sales, Bamboo Bee could now sell about 40 bicycles a year.