German students build cargo bikes from aircraft parts for flood victims

Students from Chemnitz University of Technology in Germany collaborated with UK bicycle brand Vielo to build four ultra-light cargo bikes from recycled Airbus aircraft parts to aid flood victims in Spain’s Valencia region. The bikes, made from carbon-fiber tubes originally used in Airbus A380 aircraft and supplied by Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH, weigh just 28 lbs (13 kg) but can carry loads over 154 lbs (70 kg). These purpose-built cargo bikes were shipped to two of the hardest-hit towns in Valencia to help restore mobility following the devastating 2024 floods that caused at least 224 deaths. The project provided students with hands-on experience in sustainable materials use, lightweight construction, and prototype development, including CAD design, carbon winding, and epoxy bonding techniques. Despite challenges such as carbon discoloration after curing, the team successfully produced high-strength frames with a professional-grade strength-to-weight ratio. The humanitarian effort was coordinated by Vielo athlete Juan Dual, who led volunteer aid deliveries, while Vielo