The tensile, flexural and impact strengths of bamboo and bamboo fibre-reinforced plastic (BFRP) composite have been evaluated. The high strengths of bamboo, in the fibre direction, have been explained by its anatomical properties and ultra structure. Bamboo fibres and bamboo orthogonal strip mats (bamboo mat) have been used to reinforce epoxy resin. BFRP composites with unidirectional, bidirectional and multidirectional strengths have been made. In bamboo mat composites, the fibre volume fraction,Vf, achieved was as high as 65%. The tensile, flexural and impact strengths of bamboo along the fibres are 200.5 MN m−2, 230.09 MN m−2 and 63.54 kJ m−2, respectively, whereas those of bamboo fibre composites and bamboo mat composites are 175.27 M N m−2, 151.83 MN m−2 and 45.6 kJ m−2, and 110.5 MN m−2, 93.6 M N m−2 and 34.03 kJ m−2, respectively. These composites possess a close to linear elastic behaviour. Scanning electron microscopy studies of the fractured BFRP composite specimens reveal a perfect bonding between bamboo fibres and the epoxy. Furthermore, high strength, low density, low production cost and ease of manufacturing make BFRP composite a commercially viable material for structural applications.