This week we've decided to do a few posts on bicycle design. Everything from the plain weird to the truly wonderful.
Since bicycles work pretty flawlessly as it is, you might wonder just why someone would invest time into crazy modifications like spokeless wheels and the ability to ride sideways.
Innovation never ceases, and as a result we’ve been treated to a wild assortment of ideas from giant amphibious contraptions to bikes that fold up into backpacks.
I've prowled the worldwide web and created a shortlist of 13 bicycles. Some actually address issues such as cost, portability and adaptability and others are just plain weird.
10 Crazy Concept Bicycles
1. Di-Cycle: Goes Over Both Water and Land
Right off the bat the Di-Cycle design is eye-catching. Imagine the looks you would get pedalling this down the road, smashing into cars and bumping old ladies off the sidewalk. Now imagine the looks you would get when you turn sharply toward the neighbourhood pool, ride in and mow down all of the swimmers flailing around in the water trying desperately to escape. Apparently that pleasant dream is possible with this bizarre looking contraption. Unfortunately, you are going to have to rein in your bicycle blood lust for now. The Di-Cycle is only in the design phase at the moment.
2. Sideways Bike by Michael Killian
Riding a bike facing forward is boring. Or at least, so says Michael Killian, the software engineer who decided that what the world needs is a sideways bicycle that uses the same body movements as a snowboard. It has a unicycle seat and little handlebars on either side. It’s not for everyone – Killian says only 6 out of 10 people are able to master it. I place myself with the 4 who can't. Or just wouldn't bother.
3. ‘One’ Folding Bicycle by Thomas Owen
This folding bicycle by Thomas Owen has a futuristic-looking design that compacts into an incredibly small package. It’s meant to make bicycle transport in urban environments easier by creating a super-portable bike that can go practically anywhere. It’s difficult to tell from the images of this concept, however, exactly how it works.
4. Rotation Folding Bike
The ‘Rotation’ city rotating & folding bicycle design by Yirong Yang is fully adjustable, so you can determine the best position for the handlebars, saddle and distance between the front & rear wheels. It’s also two different vehicles in one – it can be used as a bicycle or unicycle – and folds up after use.
5. Josef Cadek Locust Bicycle
Space comes at a premium, and with a world population that is rapidly multiplying by the day, it’ll only get worse as the years pass. That explains why so many bicycle designers are creating concepts that are getting increasingly more compact. The ‘Locust’ concept by Josef Cadek features parts that fold neatly into a circular central frame. Such a design makes it ideal for bringing it onto trains and buses.
6. The One-of-a-Kind Wooden Bicycle
Who better to create a sort of retro-looking wooden tandem bicycle than a timber technology student? Jens Eichler made what he calls the ‘Renovatia’ by cutting, gluing and sanding sheets of beech plywood until he achieved the curvy, organic shape he was going for. No word on how much heavier a bike like this would be than one made from more conventional materials.
7. Backpack Bicycle
As a cyclist, sometimes you really wish it were easier to keep your bicycle with you throughout the day, through bus rides, at the store or at the office. Chang Ting Jen’s entry into the International Bicycle Design Competition recognizes that need, offering a bicycle that easily folds up to be worn as a backpack. It’s made of plastic and weighs 5.5kg, and even turns into a handcart.
8. $30 Cardboard Bike
This bicycle is waterproof, lightweight and only costs $30. It’s also fully recyclable, thanks to its almost 100% cardboard construction. Product design student Phil Bridge created it as a low-cost, eco-friendly option that can be easily mass produced. It’s not the nicest-looking bicycle ever, and it’s not exactly a performance bicycle either. At least you won’t have to worry about anyone stealing it.
9. Minimalist Spokeless Bicycle
10. Square-Wheeled Bicycle
Bicycle Basecamp's Favourite: Backpack Bicycle
Whats yours?