Beyond the Bottle

Momentum Magazine talks about MiiR Bicycles

Bryan — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:20:39 +0000

Momentum Mag is an independent media company that promotes, encourages & inspires Smart Living by Bike. This Canada based editorial includes arts & culture, city and people profiles, style, food, current events and gear. They are backing up MiiR and spreading the word about the Bicycles coming out this spring! Check out the article here: http://momentummag.com/articles/miir-bicycles-creates-partnerships-for-sustainable-transportation/

MiiR live // John Keatley

Bryan — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 22:18:11 +0000

Watch this video on YouTube.

New blog post from Pushstart Creative about MiiR!

Bryan — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:11:30 +0000

Pushstart Creative helps clients “design physical and digital products with exceptional user experiences.” They are kind enough to feature MiiR in one of their blog posts this month. Check it out: HERE

Water Footprint

Bryan — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 21:10:31 +0000

Most people have heard of the term ‘carbon footprint’ and understand the importance of being responsible for the amount of greenhouse gases we produce individually. Similarly, another responsibility to be conscious of is our water footprint.

In American, the average person uses nearly 2,000 gallons per day. Seems impossible, but when you factor in the amount of water is used to make the foods we eat and the products we use, it adds up fast. Surprisingly 95% of our water footprint isn’t from taking a shower, or running the washing machine-it’s from the food products, and energy we use everyday. Here’s an infographic to briefly illustrate the facts: http://www.waterfootprint.org/downloads/2009-GOODTransparancy.jpg

As you know, freshwater is not an unlimited resource. The water footprint of humanity has exceeded sustainable levels at several places and is unequally distributed among people. There are many articles and websites that show how we can reduce our usage. Some methods are simple like eating less meat, not using bottled water, completely filling the dish washer and washing machine before running, and using a watering can instead of a hose for plants. More expensive options are to upgrade appliances that are more energy efficient, and getting rid of your grass.

These are thoughts to inspire. As an intern at MiiR, I am very enthusiastic about the mission to bring water to clean water to those who don’t have access to it. In America, we are spoiled with an abundance of water everywhere we go, and I hope with advances in technology and trends of living a more minimalistic lifestyle, we can reduce our national average of water use.

- Braden

MiiR is awarded ‘Best in Show’ by Gear Junkie

Bryan — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:32:38 +0000

GearJunkie.com is regarded as a top blog and online publication for product reviews and news in the outdoors world. This year at Outdoor Retailer, the MiiR bicycles caught their attention. Here is link to the list of winners:
http://gearjunkie.com/best-in-show-outdoor-retailer-show-winter-2013

Hello Monster interviews MiiR founder, Bryan Pape…check it out!

Bryan — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:14:33 +0000

Outside Magazine features MiiR!

Bryan — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:31:06 +0000

Outside Magazine has featured MiiR on their blog! Get an inside look to the beginnings of MiiR and what is to come for 2013! There’s a big addition to the bottle line…you’ll have to read about it here: Outside Magazine: Miir

Welcome the newest members of the MiiR team!

Bryan — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:40:58 +0000

MiiR bike party!

Travis — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 22:15:48 +0000

Join us in celebrating the awesomeness of bikes! We’ll be hanging out at Theo Chocolate in Seattle this Friday, November 9 from 6:30-9pm enjoying some after-work drinks and chocolate, and you’ll have the opportunity to scope out the new MiiR bikes. If you’re lucky we may even let you take one for a spin! We will also be showing a short film about the project that will play around 8 pm. You will be able to pre-order the MiiR bicycle of your choice or support the project by purchasing an awesome poster or water bottle. What are you waiting for? RSVP now at http://miirbikeparty.eventbrite.com/ and come join the party! Also, be sure to wear your lucky shirt because we’ll be giving away the goods below!

Liberian Bicycle Basket Project // An Interview with Well Done Liberia

Travis — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 16:49:28 +0000

Have you ever closed your eyes and tried to imagine how different life would be without the gift of eyesight? While in Liberia filming our documentary ‘Beyond the Bottle’, our team was continually reflecting on how different life was in a developing country without many of the modern conveniences we were accustomed to back home. Daily life required much more work just to have water to drink and food to eat. Our minds were stretched even further when were introduced to a blind community. We had a hard time imagining what life would be like in a developing country, how do these people do it without the ability to see? Since meeting them, we have had this community on our minds and have tried to imagine sustainable ways we could support them. In the development of the MiiR bicycle project we remembered the handwoven baskets this community had gifted to members of our team. A light bulb went off. What if we could develop a direct-trade relationship with this community and give MiiR supporters the option to help empower this blind community in Liberia by putting a handwoven basket on the front of their MiiR bicycles? That dream has become a reality and the Liberian Bicycle Basket is now available through our Givecraft campaign! Your support for this campaign will help jumpstart the MiiR bicycle basket project in Buchanan, Liberia and give this community to provide for their future. To give you a little glimpse of the people you will be empowering, we caught up with Daryl Finley, founder of Well Done Organization, and asked a few questions about this community in Liberia.

Where is this community located?

The community is called Four Houses, just north of Buchanan, Liberia. View on Google Maps

How many people live in this community?

There are almost 40 people who live in the community that Well Done has been supporting. There are more throughout Buchanan, but the care group we are helping, and that will be part of the initial weaving ‘team’ number around 40.

How have they provided for their community prior to this basket project?

Their primary way of supporting themselves is through begging. Begging by the poor to other poor people. So, when we’ve asked them to weave a basket, we’ve asked them to do more than produce a product, we’ve asked them to take time away from their primary way of supporting themselves. I say that not to make any of us feel bad, but just to explain how the process of introducing this method of supporting themselves may take a little more time and patience. Some of the men can woodwork too, however, I don’t believe at this point it is large source of income for their community.

Is there anything else you want to share about this community?

Brother Kpadoe is the head of the community. He is a very talented and gifted man. I am so impressed by him and his willingness to weave and build things. He does not let his blindness stop him from trying. The community is a wonderful, welcoming group of people: some married, some single. Some married to other blind people, some not. Some have kids that are not blind, in fact most of the blind are the adults. They are from the Bassa tribe where the name Gana-Gee, my Bassa name, comes from. When we drop in on them and Kondoh says Gana-Gee has come to visit, they all know immediately who he’s talking about. It’s pretty amazing to be loved by this group. I love them dearly and really want to see this basket project really work for them.

Help support the MiiR bicycle project by grabbing your Liberian Bicycle Basket on Givecraft.