Bicycle Design

Any ideas for a Bicycle Design competition in 2012?

Torkel Dohmers’ ThisWay concept bike- winner of the 2008 design competition

It has been a few years since the first design competition that I staged here at Bicycle Design.  The “Commuter Bike for the Masses” competition at the end of 2008 took quite a bit of time to organize and administer, but it was a lot of fun to see, and discuss, the many creative entries from readers of this blog.  If you missed that competition a few years ago, see these older posts about the 6 finalists, and the overall winner. You can also check several posts with the tag “commuter bike design competition” to see many of the other competition entries that we received.

Now that time has passed and I have started to forget the difficult parts of staging a juried competition, my thoughts have turned to running another one here at Bicycle Design. This time though, I would like for the design target to be a bit more focused than it was last time. I have a few ideas, but before I divulge those, I want to pose the question to all of you who read this blog regularly. What do you think would make a good topic for the next design competition here? Leave a comment, and tell me what specific product category or area within the cycling industry you think needs to be addressed from a design standpoint. I am open to suggestions, so now is your chance to shape the direction of the next competition.

At this point, I am just beginning to kick the idea around. Once I decide on a good topic though, I will assemble another jury of talented designers and figure out another great prize for the winner. I am looking forward to the 2012 competition already, so share your ideas now.

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54 responses to “Any ideas for a Bicycle Design competition in 2012?”

  1. Andy Avatar
    Andy

    How about “Best Practical & Producible Bicycle.” It could be for any purpose (commute, race, recreation, etc.), but it would have to win in the eyes of the judges for being feasibly producible in the next 5 years, and something that people would theoretically want to buy in that time period.

    I’d love to see a competition that actually encourages designers to look at what people ride today, and find ways to improve on that, without going so far overboard that it would never be likely to see a produced version of their design. The winning design might include some specialty parts or a new frame design, but it shouldn’t require redesigning every part from scratch, which we see over and over again as lofty dream bikes that just won’t ever make it off the computer screen.

    Reply
    1. James Thomas Avatar
      James Thomas

      Practicality and manufacturability will definitely be considerations. I don’t want to discourage creative thinking, but yeah…the ideas need to be grounded in reality.

      Reply
      1. Andy Avatar
        Andy

        There’s creativity and there’s over the top dreaming. With a few careful wording choices, this would hopefully weed out the unproducible dreams specifically to spur *more* real creativity.

        Reply
        1. James Thomas Avatar
          James Thomas

          Agreed.

          Reply
  2. John Avatar
    John

    I like designs that push the envelope. How about designing for the new “around the world race.” So, a human powered vehicle to traverse the world unsupported.

    Reply
  3. Gary Avatar
    Gary

    How about a competition to design better safety accessories to be used with any bike? We need more than reflective vests and blinking lights to make cyclists more visible to drivers on the road.

    Reply
  4. David A. Parrott Avatar
    David A. Parrott

    I agree with Andy in that I want to see something “practical” that can be produced. If I see another bike concept with hubless, solid or otherwise ridiculous (ron arad) wheels or downwind sails, I thin I might snap.

    Reply
  5. Adam Rice Avatar
    Adam Rice

    I’d also be in favor of something practical and producible, with some constraints to keep in interesting. One constraint I’d propose: a “one-tool” bike—as much as possible, everything on it can be attached and tweaked with (for example) a 5-mm allen key.

    Reply
    1. James Simpson Avatar
      James Simpson

      Adam,

      The concept is being taken out of context.

      The concept of moving masses relates to Mass Transportation…..Think Bike Trains on old track lines with multiple operators and passenger cars, think Suspended Bike Rails with the Scweeb-Like Pods for individuals and tandems, think Multi-Passenger Trikes and Quads that are more stable and adaptable to normal families and groups working in unison, commercial carpooling via Pedal Power.

      I am looking for partnership in development of a few key vehicles that are to be integrated into US Postal Services, UPS, and FedEX….these will spawn revenue to create these actual concepts listed above, that we have developed and are prepared to integrate by the end of the next two years.

      Pedal Power Work Bikes is the name of my company and I do most of the designs and prototyping myself, have four vehicles and mountain bike accessories ready for sale in US, with OEM and Distribution partnerships established Globally awaiting our foundation to launch this season.

      If you or another like minded individual want to get into some REAL PROGRESS, please link me or take advantage of these opportunities yourself. I am a broke as a joke designer with more light at the end of the Tunnel than all of NYC…..I dont want to be ripped off by a bunch of individuals that snatch the concepts and run for the hills. Please see what you can do….open to rapping anbout the future too, but have to hold a degree of sanity in getting these things going, and these design teams are so far from reality, they have the year 2035 on the brain bad.

      Reply
  6. Adam Lazenby Avatar
    Adam Lazenby

    Electric Bike for the Masses
    Electric bikes are gaining popularity across the world. For some people it allows them to keep riding their bike after some health difficulties. For others it allows them to commute to work over hilly terrain without needing a shower when they arrive. Unfortunately, most electric bikes on the market appear pieced together and/or are fairly unattractive. Increased usability and aesthetics of electric bike could potentially persuade more people to swing their leg over a bike for daily use. Improving electric bike design could be fun, interesting and potentially helpful to the industry.

    Reply
  7. Dego Avatar
    Dego

    A new definition of bikes used to transport goods in urban enviroments would be interesting. Also in combination with electric drives. Compared to the use of commuting bikes the proportion is close to zero. Also the exisiting products I see on the market aren´t contemporary and don´t look like they can solve the challenge of inner city transportation of our century.

    Reply
    1. Andy Avatar
      Andy

      Check out the Oregon Manifest. That’s what they did, and had to not only build, but ride the bikes 50 miles carrying odd shaped stuff to prove their functionality.

      Reply
    2. Oa Avatar
      Oa

      I second this.

      Reply
    3. Canis familiaris Avatar
      Canis familiaris

      Yeah! I would also like to see what designers have to say about cargo bikes for kids and goods in urban areas. That’s actually my first concern for 2012.

      Reply
  8. Brian Rees Avatar
    Brian Rees

    I would suggest a competition based upon size. Give the dimensions and require that a bike be collapsable and fit within the size criteria when collapsed. For example the size of a carry-on piece of luggage. No fees!

    Reply
    1. Andy Avatar
      Andy

      I’ve seen the effects of that thinking before (maybe it was posted on this blog) – and the totally collapsible bikes that were designed looked like they would take hours to put back together. What is really lacking with folding bikes is a design worth carrying. Most of them are very heavy, or lack the capability to shift in attempts of reducing weight. Based on the designs we’ve seen here, I’m not sure people are quite ready to provide reasonable data for the material science behind the weights of double butted tubing, titanium, etc.

      Reply
  9. lolmaus Avatar
    lolmaus

    A bicycle that is elegant and beautiful in cruiser/chopper/limousine style but at the same time very practical: a recumbent, an utility bike, a commuter…

    Reply
  10. Eric Avatar
    Eric

    start at the beginning : kids and learning to cycle ?

    Reply
  11. j gaerlan Avatar
    j gaerlan

    How about a category where the bikes are actually built, ridden then judged on practicality, cost, utility etc. Renditions or drawings are good starting inspiration points. But let’s go build and ride em.

    Reply
    1. James Thomas Avatar
      James Thomas

      As much as I would like to judge entries based on actually riding prototypes, the logistics of staging such a competition are more than I can take on for this blog. As Andy mentioned above though, the Oregon Manifest Constructor’s Design Challenge is just such a competition. I really hope to see that event continue to grow as it does produce creative ideas that are definitely grounded in reality since they have to be built and raced.

      Reply
  12. Sue Jones Avatar
    Sue Jones

    How ’bout best integration of technology into a bicycle? I want a bicycle with a defense system. REverse airbags,perhaps? Something on the handlebar I can squeeze, to squirt something at a car coming too close… how ’bout a telescoping walk-light dinger? (I’m just thinking of Inconveniences and Hazards of Commuting and Creative Ways of Dealing With Them.)

    Reply
  13. James Thomas Avatar
    James Thomas

    Thanks to everyone for the suggestions so far. There are quite a few good ideas here to consider. Keep them coming!

    Reply
  14. Matt King Avatar
    Matt King

    Idea 1: A new “class” of racing bike. Something as far outside UCI rules as desired by the designer, but conforming to the rules they (or you) choose (maybe a new format of racing?) and still rideable in a group/peloton environment (eg no fully faired recumbents). High priority to standardised (eg “one make”) design and realistic cost.

    Idea 2: A “family cycling” challenge. Find creative ways for a family to go riding together. (better kids bikes? child seats? Tandems? tagalongs?)

    Reply
  15. Victor Ragusila Avatar
    Victor Ragusila

    What about novel touring concept? Right now racing is defined by rules, and urban concepts are everywhere (and yet everyone rides 100$ beater bikes in the city). In touring however there is the highest diversity of concepts, from recumbent trikes to tandems to uprights loaded with luggage.
    I think the challenge of riding for the entire day, on various terrain, with luggage, while staying somewhat aerodynamic and allowing for customization for the user is very interesting and not many people pay attention to it.

    cheers

    Victor Ragusila

    Reply
  16. Nicholas Hardrath Avatar
    Nicholas Hardrath

    I definitely like the idea of being feasible in the next 5 years. I think technology and accessory integration is a good start. There’s 1000’s of new bikes released every year, only a small fraction actually address things like storage, theft deterrence, technology integration and technology integration. What if you could hop on your commuter bike, and EASILY plug your phone in to charge on your ride in, your headlights were integrated so there was no issue with hooking up extra components, and you had a legitimate place for a good lock, and clothing accessories? Practical and never addressed all at once. This ‘integration’ idea gives plenty of room for design freedom and aesthetic (customizable) qualities as well.

    Reply
    1. Victor Ragusila Avatar
      Victor Ragusila

      I wonder how many actual users would like a very integrated design. Myself, i like trying accessories and playing with components. It also allows me to try different ideas and learn about bike technology.
      Of course, something you never have to worry about and it is all integrated might be great for users that are less tech-inclined. I would be very curious to know what percentage each group is. An integrated design cannot be tuned for each rider’s preference, and most cyclists i know are very keep on having individualized, unique bikes.

      Victor

      Reply
  17. Vincent Avatar
    Vincent

    “Commuter community”
    All these people, cycling at the same time on the same road… modern phones make more communication possible, but what with the bikes and bikes components? How to adapt them to take advantage of this mass of people?
    The reflexion on the design is frequently on the individual level (my bike) or on the urbanism level. Think on the community level would be something different.
    Let’s be creative!
    Vincent

    Reply
  18. Ryan Paetzold Avatar
    Ryan Paetzold

    I second Andy’s “Best Practical & Producible Bicycle.” – blue sky thinking is always awesome but feasability and responsibility is one of the cirteria I would like to see in the brief.

    Reply
  19. Don Avatar
    Don

    I would encourage you to seek design challenges outside the design community (if you aren’t already), as a way to avoid rehashing the usual stuff and to keep it grounded. Maybe asking municipalities or a commuting group.

    Some ideas off the top of my head might include parking security and stability, load-carrying adaptability on standard frames, or for something more focused, a rethinking of handlebar/brake/shifter design (retaining standard cable travel) for the needs of urban riders, with a mind to multiple hand positions and traffic safety.

    Reply
  20. Ross Nicholson Avatar
    Ross Nicholson

    I made an entry in the last one and then saw somebody else building it and showing it off here. So eh?

    Reply
    1. Andy Avatar
      Andy

      Which one was that? I’m sure for any bike idea we see online, at least 10 other people have thought about it already.

      Reply
    2. James Thomas Avatar
      James Thomas

      Ross, I never posted your entry for the last competition, so I am not sure how anyone could have possibly seen it. I am curious though which design you are referring to that someone else was showing off here. I just looked back at your sketch for a “trike or quad motorized hammock”, and I really don’t see any resemblance to any other design that I can recall.

      Reply
  21. Peter Johnson Avatar
    Peter Johnson

    i like Victor’s idea of a novel touring concept that could generate interesting designs for a practical carrier ,comfortable, aerodynamic and stylish means of riding .

    James i wonder if it would be possible to see all the entries that can be displayed this time before they get shortlisted by the judges.?
    Peter

    Reply
    1. James Thomas Avatar
      James Thomas

      Peter, I agree and I want to find a way to share all of the entries this time. Also, it might be worth going back and compiling all 60 something entries from the previous competition into a pdf booklet to share here as well.

      Reply
  22. mr. chromatonic Avatar
    mr. chromatonic

    I’d like to see a bicycle design contest judged on a) practicality (cargo hauling, handling varied terrain, etc.), b) portability (weight?), c) storage (folding?), d) security, and most important of all, e) COST. $2500 bikes (let alone REALLY expensive one!) just don’t cut it.

    Reply
    1. dumbo Avatar
      dumbo

      I like yr ideas. Here’s some helps…Cargo hauling? ex-military heavy canvas bags with strong strap-holders on a sprung pannier carrier. Portability? modern light steels. Saddle-springs r enuff. Storage? folding; or only 26″ wheels. Parallel h-bars are narrow, Hub gears are clean, last, and cheap. Drum brakes fit in wheel, almost no upkeep; cheap. Chain-cases are clean and their chains & sprockets last decades. Most vehicles’ lights are 71-ish cms off the ground. Have big lights there to join in. Switch them on the h-bars.

      Reply
  23. Alex Liauw Avatar
    Alex Liauw

    At the moment I am living in Vietnam, everyone here wants a motorbike. In a lot of the developing world it is the same – people want to get away from the bicycle and get motorized transport. I think it would be great to try and design a bike for developing countries that would be a bit more aspirational for the masses, and give some of the benefits that a motorbike.

    Id also like to see some new idea for 700c or 26inch wheel folding bikes.

    Reply
  24. Alex Liauw Avatar
    Alex Liauw

    Another idea, I’m the type of guy that has around 10 bikes, multiple mtbs, multiple road bikes, commuter bike, time trial bike, cross bike etc. In a world where perhaps less is more if there was one bike that would satisfy most of my bicycle fixation would be neat, that would be an interesting design challenge.

    Reply
  25. Ian Clewett Avatar
    Ian Clewett

    James – I’m so glad you’re thinking of running another competition. I really enjoyed the challenge and results that came out of the last one. I’d love to see some ideas for folding, or at least easily stored or transported bikes. A huge amount of people live in flats or small houses, with minimal amounts of storage space – these are probably people that would make most use of a bike for quick, local trips or to get around town. If more compact(able), they could be more easily accommodated on public transport too, giving people a quick way to get to the station or bus stop, or park & ride place then onwards to work, shops etc. I’m sure there is space in the market for a decent wheel-sized bike that’s ‘space optimised’ rather than a full-on compact folding bike?

    Reply
  26. Ed Avatar
    Ed

    The most significant improvement on the last competition would be to allow the contributors to this forum to be judge and jury of the entries. Last time, the “winning” concept was an almost totally useless, impractical computer design that would never reach the streets but looked pretty and “revolutionary” to a bunch of marketeers who were more concerned with making eloquent assessment rather than thinking about real biking improvement. I mean no insult to the previous judges and it might be that I missed the concept of the competition but to my mind there is an opportunity to pool some great biking brains here and come up with something that we’d all like to own because it works.

    Reply
    1. James Thomas Avatar
      James Thomas

      Ed, I would like to allow all readers to pick the winner, but the logistics of posting each submission and setting up a fair way for people to vote for the winner is the limiting factor. It is definitely something I want to work out at some point though. Even if I am unable to run the next competition that way, I will find a way to post all of the entries so that everyone can see and discuss them.

      Reply
      1. Ed Avatar
        Ed

        Fair enough James, thanks for responding.

        Reply
  27. James Thomas Avatar
    James Thomas

    Thanks to everyone who has commented. There are some great ideas here. I am still mulling them all over (and trying to figure out when I can find time to do this), so keep adding ideas if you have them.

    Reply
    1. Alex Liauw Avatar
      Alex Liauw

      Hi James,

      perhaps you could have a panel winner, and a peoples choice. Entrees could submit one picture that could be posted for the peoples choice, and people could simple get to vote by email – 1 vote per email address.

      Reply
  28. ConorC Avatar
    ConorC

    Hi James,

    I’m a bit late to this discussion, but fair play for thinking of running another competition. The 2 best things out of the last competition were from Mark Sanders and Agnete Enga. The articles you’ve published by them – “Who, Where, What” by Agnete and “Blue Ocean” by Mark could serve as a great starting point for a new competition.

    A competition that gets people talking and finding solutions to the many real issues facing the greater uptake of cycling by everyone from 8 to 80 everywhere would be great. So the comment about a “family cycling challenge” by Matt King, is a pretty interesting idea that would get +1 from me.

    https://bicycledesign.net/2009/02/agnete’s-“who-where-what”-from-the-design-competiton/
    https://bicycledesign.net/2008/06/guest-post-by-mark-sanders/

    Reply
  29. dumbo Avatar
    dumbo

    Run a “Traffic-Friendly Bicycle” competition. Gears u can change when stopped [in the hub], brakes that always work [in a drum], light-switches @ yr finger-tips, luggage-carrying capacity [cheap panniers], mudguards to be nice to those who’re near, be visible with a rear reflector and bright colors on the machine. U’re then so close to being an ordinary item of traffic that taxis respect u, lorries see u, cars know u’re there…u fit in. This is nice.

    Reply
  30. ConorC Avatar
    ConorC

    Hi James, you might also ask someone like Mikael Colville-Andersen to join the jury?
    http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com
    http://www.copenhagenize.eu

    Reply
  31. Stefano Avatar
    Stefano

    I’m late to this discussion… anyway I want to suggest a design competition for velomobiles as personal commuting vehicle in urban areas.

    Reply
  32. Peter Johnson Avatar
    Peter Johnson

    Hi James I was looking at hotmail and if you set up an email reply that for each picture you gave a number and then wrote in the subect box say “PICTURE -1” Once received you could search by subject each PICTURE-1or PICTURE-2 etc and this would list all emails with that subject,
    I expect this works for all e-mail servers so might be the easiest way to track votes.
    regards Peter

    Reply
  33. Alistair Williamson Avatar
    Alistair Williamson

    “A Family Bike.”
    Are we condemned to errand by car and bus for 7+ years of our lives because junior is to young to either ride out with us or home alone. Must we segregate the joy of the country road or woodland path from our young kids? 99.99% of bikes shun passengers while approx 85% of adults have children.

    It also keeps the competition broad: Family Bike could be family touring, family racing, family communing …

    Life is a journey they say – let’s travel by bike I say, an no I’m not leaving the wee ones behind.

    Cheers, Alistair

    Reply
  34. Indrit Avatar
    Indrit

    Rain/Wind protection for existant and future bicycles?

    Reply
  35. Graham Avatar
    Graham

    I wouldn’t leave out the creative vision in the competition. New ideas come from new concepts and it is with this in mind that I feel the envelope should be pushed! Yes there are boundaries to what can be achieved now and in 10 years time but the world and it’s markets are evolving. New demands from the bicycle and it’s users are already pushing the ‘envelope’. The competition should focus on a future scenario to evoke advanced design and thought processes to create some fresh ideas.

    Key areas such as materials, integration of technologies and connectivity between bicycles and vehicles should be some key factors in the competition. Just some thoughts on what I would include you should promote future thinking in your design brief.

    Reply
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