Every Story
Has a Beginning.
From bicycle workshops in Switzerland to bamboo frame building by hand, the BAMBOOGO journey is rooted in real experience.
The journey
so far.
The Bicycle Journey
Okey Omulu began working professionally with bicycle assembly and maintenance in Switzerland. Over the following years, his work expanded across bicycle assembly, maintenance, repair, and later mechanical and electric bicycles.
Discovering Bamboo
His interest in bicycles eventually led beyond conventional frame materials. In Basel, Okey learned the craft of bamboo bicycle construction through Le Bambousier and began building bamboo bicycles himself. A Le Bambousier post dated 2 January 2020 publicly documented one of his self built bamboo bicycles.
Building Three Bicycles in Switzerland
Okey went on to build three bamboo bicycles in Switzerland. Building by hand provided first hand understanding of the material, the construction process, and the skill, patience and time required to produce a quality bamboo bicycle.
A Different Question
The experience also revealed practical challenges. Bamboo bicycle construction is labour intensive, which can make small scale production in Switzerland expensive. Sourcing bamboo with the characteristics required for bicycle frame construction can also be challenging locally. Instead of abandoning the idea, these challenges inspired a different question: Could production be developed in a way that combines suitable bamboo resources, craftsmanship, skills development and economic opportunity?
Bamboo Bikes Bern
The idea developed further through Bamboo Bikes Bern, establishing the foundation for what would later evolve into BAMBOOGO.
As the project developed, Okey established a relationship with Boogaali, an experienced bamboo bicycle builder in Uganda. Boogaali subsequently supplied three bamboo bicycle frames for project development. These frames have been assembled into complete bicycles in Switzerland. Discussions have also included Boogaali supporting future training in bamboo bicycle construction as the project develops.
The Next Chapter
The journey that began with learning and building has now evolved into VERDAO and BAMBOOGO. BAMBOOGO brings that history forward into a new bicycle brand built around craftsmanship, sustainable materials and the belief that every bicycle can carry a bigger story. Ride the Story.
Meet the
founder.
Okey Omulu
Founder, VERDAO & BAMBOOGO
Okey Omulu is a bicycle professional and entrepreneur based in Bern, Switzerland. His professional bicycle journey began in 2016 and has since included years of hands on experience in bicycle assembly, maintenance and repair, including work with mechanical bicycles and e bikes.
His interest in sustainable bicycle construction led him to bamboo. After learning bamboo bicycle building in Basel, Okey built bamboo bicycles himself in Switzerland — an experience publicly documented by Le Bambousier in January 2020.
What began as hands on experimentation gradually developed into Bamboo Bikes Bern and ultimately the wider VERDAO and BAMBOOGO vision. Today, he is working to turn that experience into a bicycle project that connects craftsmanship, sustainable materials and opportunities for people. For Okey, Ride the Story represents that journey — and an invitation for every future BAMBOOGO rider to add their own chapter.
Get in TouchJoin the
Story.
BAMBOOGO is still growing, and we would love to hear from riders, supporters, organisations and people interested in the journey. Whether you are interested in a future BAMBOOGO bicycle, collaboration, crowdfunding or simply following the project, get in touch.
VERDAO / BAMBOOGO Bern, Switzerland