The bicycle is one of the most versatile and enjoyable inventions in human history. It’s also one of the most durable. While a new bike might be expensive, it generally will last up to 10 years, at which point you will have to replace it with another newer model. So what do you do with the old one? You probably don’t want to just throw it in the trash. Whether you are consciously trying to reduce your carbon footprint or trying to save some money, there are plenty of ways to use your bike that you may not have ever thought about before. This article will look at some unique ways you can repurpose your old bike.
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Garden Art
If you are an artist or have artist friends, one of the best ways to reuse an old bike is by turning it into art. While this can be done in various styles, using your old bike as garden art is by far the best option. Not only does this give a unique look to your backyard or garden area, but it also prevents the bike from rusting in a landfill somewhere. If you want to make garden art with an old bicycle, you will need a few tools, some patience, and creativity.
Bike Tire Clock
Who needs town hall when you can keep time with your bike? If you are an avid cyclist, there is almost no better way to show off your love for bicycles than by creating a clock out of one. All you need for this project is some basic tools and an old bicycle wheel. This will not be difficult to create, but you will have to be creative to turn the wheel into a clock that tells time. However, it is an impressive piece of decor that is sure to impress your friends.
Bike Powered Generator
If you are an avid fan of renewable energy sources, this is one way to repurpose the old bike that you’ll enjoy. All you need for this project is an old bike and a generator. This isn’t difficult to find, but it will be more expensive than your other options. If you want to create this project all by yourself, you will need to research how to attach the generator to your bike so that when you ride it, electricity is created. You can then hook up extension cords to the generator and use it for whatever electrical needs you may have.
Bike Table
If you do not have a lot of outdoor space or don’t feel comfortable having anything hanging from the outside walls of your house, this is an ideal way to turn your old bike into an indoor piece of decor. All you need for this project is an old bicycle frame and some wood. Set the frame at the desired height of your table, and then you can take the wheels off. Once that is done, use brackets or something similar to attach wood pieces underneath it to make the wooden legs. Then either uses another piece of wood or whatever material you would like to make a tabletop!
Bike Tire Wreath
This is another great piece of outdoor art you can make with your old bike. All you need for this project is some wire, an old tire, and a few other items that will serve as decorations. Use the wire to make a circle by weaving it through the spokes of the bike tire. Then the other things can be attached. You can use anything for your decorating needs: flowers, fake grass, other bike parts, etc. Then hang it on your wall and admire what you have created!
Bike Chain Bracelets
If you have an old bike chain lying around, there are many different things you can do with it. For example, an old bike chain makes for an awesome bracelet! All you need is some wire or string and a bike chain to make one bracelet. First, you need to measure how much chain you will use for the bracelet. Then, use a hammer and a nail to push out the pin holding the link where you want to shorten it. Then, attach the two ends of chains with wire or whatever other material you would like to use. You can also use the chains as necklaces or keychains.
Conclusion
If you have an old bike lying around the house, there are a lot of different projects and ways to repurpose it. Making art and clocks is just some of what you can create with your recycled bike! There’s no need to be wasteful when you can reuse or recycle an item that would typically go into a landfill. Not only is this a great way to repurpose your bike, but it also helps the environment. If you have an old bike just lying around, now would be a great time to start creating something new and functional from it!