Recycle old cell phone parts and help reduce e-waste by this fun and clever idea of converting a cell phone into a workable DIY bicycle dash cam.
According to All Green Recycling, 57 million phones are thrown out by Americans every year. About 75% of all used phones go to the landfill. Phones release toxic substances into the environment, so they should be recycled or reused whenever possible. The report revealed that 9.4 million tons of e-waste are produced by the United States every year, and only 13% of electronics in the country are recycled. When we throw out electronics, we are getting rid of materials that are valuable. When a million cell phones are thrown out, we throw away 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, 33 pounds of palladium, and 35,000 pounds of copper. In other words, every year, U.S. residents are throwing away over $60 million in gold and silver.
The average American replaces his or her cell phone on an annual basis, making phones the most commonly replaced electronic item in use. After you get a new phone, you can put your old phone to good use, which in turn will reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment by reducing the harmful chemicals and materials that are released by a phone being thrown into the trash. A smartphone can effectively be used as a dash cam.
Upcycled Bicycle Dash Cam
While there are a few ways to make use of your old smartphone, one of the better ways is to convert into a dash cam that you can use on your bicycle. With the camera, you can record your rides, which is especially helpful if you are involved in a crash with another vehicle.
With recorded video detailing an accident, you can avoid those arguments that are basically “he said, she said” and you can show officers exactly what happened. A video is more reliable and acceptable than any verbal statements from witnesses.
Getting Your Dash Cam Set Up
You’ll need the following to mount your old cellphone to your bike:
- 2 strips of heavy-duty Velcro
- 1 flat angle bracket
- 2 1 ¾’ pipe clamps
- a section of Inner tube (optional)
- an old cellphone
- A dash cam app of your choosing
To use your smartphone as a dash cam on your bike, you will need to make sure it is properly secured to your bike. To do this correctly, you must take two strips of heavy-duty Velcro along with two pipe clamps and a flat corner brace to properly attach it. You will start by attaching the corner brace to your smartphone.

Next, attach a sturdy Velcro strip to your phone’s back. You will put the second strip on the end of the brace corner and trim any extra Velcro off and away from the brace. By using heavy-duty Velcro, you shouldn’t have to worry about the camera coming loose. The corner brace must be attached to the bicycle directly.
Take two pipe clamps so you can attach the part of the corner brace that is untouched so the phone can be held up and used. The pipe clamps must be positioned near the center of the handlebar, which will enable you to get a better picture when videotaping. The corner brace needs to be tightened under the clamps.
Take a small inner tube section and place it over the area where the clamps are going to be attached so you don’t damage your bike’s finish.
To run a dash cam app on your old phone, you will not need cellular service or WiFi. You will just need to download a dash cam app onto the old phone. You will then just start the app at any time you head out on the road. There is always the chance of flaws or malfunctions, but you will be giving yourself a way to protect yourself in a friendly, eco-friendly manner that is much less expensive than purchasing a dash cam.
A dash cam can make a significant difference in whether you have an ongoing dispute after filing an insurance claim following a cycling crash. While you cannot expect a smartphone being used as a dash cam to be foolproof, you can expect greater protection. You need to remember to turn the app on and start when you go for a ride, so it will be working.
This article was created by Personal Injury Help, an organization dedicated to providing the public with information about personal injury and safety information. Nothing in this article constitutes legal advice or opinion, and is intended for informational use only.
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