Forge Minerals
20 June 2025
Gecko Rubber Ltd, based in the UK, has developed the world’s first 100% recyclable, airless bicycle tyre that offers a sustainable alternative to conventional pneumatic tyres. Using a new ultra-light, cellular rubber compound, the Gecko tyre is designed to eliminate punctures, reduce maintenance, and significantly cut environmental impact.
Traditional bicycle tyres often rely on fossil fuel-based materials, contain harmful PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), and are notoriously difficult to recycle. As a result, over one million tonnes of bicycle tyres are sent to landfill each year. Gecko’s tyres are manufactured from a single recyclable material, avoiding both PAHs and carbon black, and can be made with up to 90% recycled content. The first tyre samples already meet proposed EU minimum recycled content targets.
The Gecko tyre also improves sustainability in use. It produces up to 70% less CO₂ during manufacture, lasts twice as long as conventional tyres, and requires no air, adhesives or specialist tools for installation. This means lower material waste, easier fitting, and no risk of flats,key benefits for both everyday cyclists and shared bike schemes.
A major bikeshare operator has already committed to using 50,000 tyres and requires them as soon as Gecko can supply them, which will hopefully be by the end of this year (2025). With projected operational savings of up to 10% from reduced tyre replacement and maintenance costs, Gecko is sure to also have the interest of other significant bikeshare operators around the world.
With its low cost, simple clip-on design, and equivalent ride performance to pneumatic tyres, Gecko’s innovation could help accelerate the shift to cycling, especially in urban areas. By addressing the environmental challenges of tyre waste while improving convenience for users, Gecko Rubber offers a scalable solution for cleaner, more accessible transport.
Quote from Tom Turner, Abel + Imray:
As a keen cyclist, I have been a keen supporter of Gecko Rubber’s technology over the years we have worked together, and it is great to see the company’s commercial bikeshare opportunities coming through. This project is an especially strong Earthshot nomination because it is both a more environmentally friendly technology than currently used and an important step in support for active transport!
Quote from Richard Adams, Gecko:
After many years of intensive product development, we are very pleased to say that we now have reached our original target of producing an airless bicycle tyre that effectively competes on performance, across the board, with a good quality, well maintained pneumatic rubber bicycle tyre and yet also provides the significant benefits of being 100% recyclable, puncture proof and zero maintenance. It is now our intention to provide millions of these tyres for the bicycle/micromobility vehicle markets over the coming years.
