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Shawn Ryan
Photographer, filmmaker and solar bike adventurer
Shawn Ryan
Photographer, filmmaker and solar bike adventurer
I’m Shawn Ryan, founder of Boden Ryan. I make films and photographs documenting construction, engineering and infrastructure, with a particular interest in how things are built and the people who make them happen. Outside my commercial work, I design and build experimental solar-powered e-bikes for long-distance adventures, exploring solar-powered transport, off-grid technology and the capabilities of small solar charging systems.
Solar powered adventures
I’ve always been interested in engineering, cycling and finding practical ways to use solar power. That eventually led me to build my own solar-powered e-bikes and take them on long-distance journeys.
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In 2026 I built a solar-powered Omnium Cargo bike and rode it through the French Alps as part of The Sun Trip Alps. The bike became a rolling experiment in small-scale solar power, generating energy throughout the day while I rode and camped along the route.
The journey gave me the chance to test the system in real conditions, from long mountain climbs and 40°C heat to riding days of more than 120 kilometres. I documented the trip through photography, film and performance data, and I’m continuing to develop the bike and explore what is possible with solar powered travel.
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In 2026 I built a solar-powered Omnium Cargo bike and rode it through the French Alps as part of The Sun Trip Alps. The bike became a rolling experiment in small-scale solar power, generating energy throughout the day while I rode and camped along the route.
The journey gave me the chance to test the system in real conditions, from long mountain climbs and 40°C heat to riding days of more than 120 kilometres. I documented the trip through photography, film and performance data, and I’m continuing to develop the bike and explore what is possible with solar powered travel.
Behind the camera
My professional work is centred around documenting construction, engineering and infrastructure. Through Boden Ryan, I produce film, photography and long term time lapse for projects across the UK. I’m particularly drawn to work that gives me access behind the scenes and lets me understand how something is made. That same curiosity runs through both my commercial work and the projects I pursue outside it.
Shawn Ryan
International Press Coverage
The Solar Stories project and my solar-powered Omnium cargo bike attracted international media attention following the 2026 Sun Trip Alps.After completing approximately 1,300 km through the Alps using a self-built solar-electric cargo bike, the story was picked up by technology, science, cycling and sustainability publications across Europe, Asia and South America. The project has now generated at least 13 separate editorial articles across 12 international media outlets, with further republications and syndicated coverage.
Featured byNew Atlas — International
Man builds solar bike for epic Alps journey
A major feature covering the Omnium solar cargo bike, the Sun Trip Alps journey, the design of the system and plans for future long-distance solar cycling expeditions.
ZME Science — International
This Solar-Powered E-Bike Crossed the Alps and Completed an Incredible 1,300-kilometer Run
Coverage focusing on the practical potential of solar-powered bicycle travel and the engineering behind the bike.
CHIP — Poland
Feature covering the 61 kg solar cargo bike, its energy generation, Alpine performance and the wider long-distance project.
Tuổi Trẻ — Vietnam
One of Vietnam's major news publications featured the homemade solar-electric bike and its journey across the Alps.
EcoInventos — Spain
Detailed sustainability and renewable-energy feature examining how the bike was constructed and how 200 W of solar panels were used during the 1,300 km journey.NeozOne — France
Detailed feature on the construction of the solar bike, its Alpine test and development of the next-generation machine.
e-Biker.cz — Czech Republic
Two separate articles covering the solar cargo bike: one examining the Alpine journey and future plans, and a second looking specifically at solar charging and what was learned from the 1,300 km test.
Zajtra.sk — Slovakia
Technology feature covering the solar-electric journey through the Alps.
XeDapCo — Vietnam
Cycling publication feature examining the bike, solar system and ability to travel long distances without conventional charging.
Click Petróleo e Gás — Brazil
Feature covering the Alpine journey, extreme heat encountered during the trip, battery performance and development of the next solar bike.
Correio Diário — Brazil
Coverage of the 1,300 km solar-powered Alpine journey and plans for future expeditions.
BrightWire — International
UK Man Crosses Alps on Homemade Solar E-Bike
English-language coverage of the bike, the Alpine expedition and the longer-term project.From the Alps to ChinaThe Sun Trip Alps was also a development test for a much larger project.The next objective is to develop a new solar-electric cycle capable of undertaking a long-distance journey from Europe towards China, using the expedition both as an engineering challenge and as a way of documenting what lightweight solar mobility can achieve.
I am currently developing the next bike, solar system and media project and am interested in working with solar, battery, cycling, engineering and technology partners who would like to be involved in the next stage of the story.
The Solar Stories project and my solar-powered Omnium cargo bike attracted international media attention following the 2026 Sun Trip Alps.After completing approximately 1,300 km through the Alps using a self-built solar-electric cargo bike, the story was picked up by technology, science, cycling and sustainability publications across Europe, Asia and South America. The project has now generated at least 13 separate editorial articles across 12 international media outlets, with further republications and syndicated coverage.
Featured byNew Atlas — International
Man builds solar bike for epic Alps journey
A major feature covering the Omnium solar cargo bike, the Sun Trip Alps journey, the design of the system and plans for future long-distance solar cycling expeditions.
ZME Science — International
This Solar-Powered E-Bike Crossed the Alps and Completed an Incredible 1,300-kilometer Run
Coverage focusing on the practical potential of solar-powered bicycle travel and the engineering behind the bike.
CHIP — Poland
Feature covering the 61 kg solar cargo bike, its energy generation, Alpine performance and the wider long-distance project.
Tuổi Trẻ — Vietnam
One of Vietnam's major news publications featured the homemade solar-electric bike and its journey across the Alps.
EcoInventos — Spain
Detailed sustainability and renewable-energy feature examining how the bike was constructed and how 200 W of solar panels were used during the 1,300 km journey.NeozOne — France
Detailed feature on the construction of the solar bike, its Alpine test and development of the next-generation machine.
e-Biker.cz — Czech Republic
Two separate articles covering the solar cargo bike: one examining the Alpine journey and future plans, and a second looking specifically at solar charging and what was learned from the 1,300 km test.
Zajtra.sk — Slovakia
Technology feature covering the solar-electric journey through the Alps.
XeDapCo — Vietnam
Cycling publication feature examining the bike, solar system and ability to travel long distances without conventional charging.
Click Petróleo e Gás — Brazil
Feature covering the Alpine journey, extreme heat encountered during the trip, battery performance and development of the next solar bike.
Correio Diário — Brazil
Coverage of the 1,300 km solar-powered Alpine journey and plans for future expeditions.
BrightWire — International
UK Man Crosses Alps on Homemade Solar E-Bike
English-language coverage of the bike, the Alpine expedition and the longer-term project.From the Alps to ChinaThe Sun Trip Alps was also a development test for a much larger project.The next objective is to develop a new solar-electric cycle capable of undertaking a long-distance journey from Europe towards China, using the expedition both as an engineering challenge and as a way of documenting what lightweight solar mobility can achieve.
I am currently developing the next bike, solar system and media project and am interested in working with solar, battery, cycling, engineering and technology partners who would like to be involved in the next stage of the story.
shawn@bodenryan.com / hello@bodenryan.com
