Ben Hogan, a former bike mechanic turned prosthetist, unveiled a below‑the‑knee prosthetic that uses 95% of its material from discarded bicycles, slashing costs by up to 90% compared to conventional prosthetics—
He explained that the bike seat, wheel treads, spokes, and a lightweight frame form a stable, adjustable foot and knee joint, harnessing the bike’s built‑in strength and design for human locomotion. This approach directly addresses the WHO estimate that 85‑90% of amputees lack access to a proper prosthesis, offering a practical, scalable alternative for low‑resource settings.
Hogan’s prototype was refined over a decade, culminating in a 2024 launch of Project Bike Leg, where he shared step‑by‑step instructions online and taught local clinicians in Ghana how to assemble two fully functional prosthetics in just nine days. The open‑source nature of the design means no patents or licensing fees, allowing communities to reproduce and adapt the system using locally available materials such as wicker for the socket.
For anyone interested in exploring this option, consult a licensed prosthetist first—while the design is simple, proper fit and medical oversight remain essential. The project’s free tutorials and community forum provide a starting point for those ready to build or advocate for low‑cost prosthetic solutions.