The push for bicycle use is gaining global relevance not just as a leisure activity, but as a solution to a range of problems like pollution, congestion, rising gas prices and issues surrounding community health. In urban areas around the world, advocacy groups are staking a claim for bicycles and educating the public about the benefits of Biking as a means of transport, fitness and fun.
Promoting bicycle use also means enabling it; local governments are being tasked to improve infrastructure to create more convenient and safer routes as well as incentives for biking. City initiatives like Bike to Work Day and other bike share projects are promoting public awareness of the positive impact of biking on health, wellbeing and the environment.
This competition calls for a biking accessory or add-on for existing bikes that would improve the bicycling experience and encourage more people to make biking their primary means of transport – more convenient, more enjoyable, safer and more integrated into daily lifestyles – whether it's for commuting, working, shopping, transporting, leisure or all of the above. In your description, you should define the user scenario and design problem that your design attempts to solve.
You cannot enter any design that already exists on the market or has been put into commercial production, or that you do not own the rights to.
I would argue that bicycles are nearly perfect and there's nothing that really needs improvement assuming one has the money to purchase the "good stuff." That said, here are two things I would like:
ReplyDelete• Tires/tubes that are inexpensive, lightweight, high pressure, NEVER go flat and always maintain their air pressure. That's a tall order.
• Racks/baskets that are extremely lightweight and virtually disappear somewhere on, or in, your bike when you don't need them. When you need them, they appear and expand to fit your needs. They can expand to snuggly carry a cup of coffee and a muffin, or three bags of groceries and a bottle of wine.
I've been down the electric bike route and I don't think it's a good idea, especially considering the current battery technology.
I would argue that bicycles are nearly perfect and there's nothing that really needs improvement assuming one has the money to purchase the "good stuff." That said, here are two things I would like:
ReplyDelete• Tires/tubes that are inexpensive, lightweight, high pressure, NEVER go flat and always maintain their air pressure. That's a tall order.
• Racks/baskets that are extremely lightweight and virtually disappear somewhere on, or in, your bike when you don't need them. When you need them, they appear and expand to fit your needs. They can expand to snuggly carry a cup of coffee and a muffin, or three bags of groceries and a bottle of wine.
I've been down the electric bike route and I don't think it's a good idea, especially considering the current battery technology.
Jack, Have you tried that green goo that one injects through the valve? It's supposed to seal a tube against punctures? I think it adds some weight, but supposedly takes care of flats. Haven't tested it here, however.
ReplyDeleteJack,
ReplyDeleteAs much as I love the bicycle, I'm not sure it's "nearly perfect." I added a recumbent a few years ago, to escape from the persistent aches and pains that the classic dropped handlebar configuration inflict on riders. Yes, the machine part is "nearly perfect" but the ergonomics are problematic. Basically, we're adapting ourselves to a "nearly perfect" machine, and it's taking a toll on our backs and shoulders.
Ideally, the machine should serve our needs, not the other way around. But that bicycle might not exist--yet.
I haven't tried the goo. They sell tubes with a goo inside, but I read somewhere that you can't apply a patch to them when they spring a leak. Apparently, the goo doesn't allow the patch to stick.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if that's true.
I think the ergonomic issue depends on the individual. All bodies are built differently, so what works for one person may not work for another. The more choices, the better.
Right. The bike needs to fit the individual, but we are expected to fit ourselves onto tiny, "racing" frames, all in the name of speed--and style.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to read some good rants on this by a guy who feels the bike industry is headed in exactly the wrong direction, check out rivbike.com--and the Grant Peterson editorials. I for one, was won over by his arguments and bought one of his frames. It was SIX sizes larger than the racing frame I had been riding...
I agree with your comments regarding drop bars and racing frames.
ReplyDeleteI use drop bars for my long rides, but for around town I generally use either my mountain bike with straight bars or an old Schwinn Suburban with albatross handlebars.
Those old-fashioned swept back bars are really comfortable. Another thing bikes are often missing is a chain guard. If you're going to use a bike for business, you need to keep your pants clean!
In a few weeks I may have my "new" 1963 English 3-speed restored. That will become my around town bike.
Got to see that English 3 speed! Let me know if you post a photo.
ReplyDeleteBike ergonomics is worth a separate post, if not a blog of its own. I'll work up a separate post here soon.
Meanwhile, an ergonomic bike design could certainly be worthy of that UNICEF prize.
Here's the English 3-speed before I took it apart. Restoration is now underway:
ReplyDeletehttp://ramblingjackslaboratory.blogspot.com/2008/01/i-bought-british-gentlemans-bike-today.html
Here are my two Schwinn Suburbans. Although heavy, I think they're very comfortable. A springy seat and "albatross" handlebars have a lot to do with the comfort, at least for me:
http://ramblingjackslaboratory.blogspot.com/2008/01/one-more-for-scrap-heap.html
Jack,
ReplyDeleteApparently, Blogger won't accept links of that length. But you can use the Blogger link tool to condense them. Or perhaps you can just post them to your blog.