Driving Change

Bambike founder Bryan Benitez McClelland talks of a life rooted in sustainability and why he appreciates seeing automakers like Lexus expand their range of electrified vehicles

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In the 16 years that Bryan Benitez McClelland has lived in the country, the Filipino-American entrepreneur has made quite an impact as a fierce eco-warrior. He has proudly introduced and popularised a line of innovative, handmade bamboo bicycles known as Bambikes, which are crafted locally in partnership with the Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation. With fair-trade labour and green building practices at the heart of the enterprise, socio-ecological purpose is what undoubtedly fuels McClelland’s business and, by extension, his life.

McClelland’s passion for sustainability sprouted early in his childhood. “When I was a kid, I went to a summer camp called Keewaydin in rural Vermont that was geared towards outdoor activities and adventure trips. So many of my formative experiences happened there,” he muses. “Living in cabins and tents while also exploring forests, lakes and rivers really brought me to appreciate the wonders of nature and a desire to protect our environment. ‘Help the other fellow’ and ‘leave no trace behind’ were our mottos. These have stuck with me and guided my journey through life.”