Commuter bicycle design concepts!

laFlamme

Check out some cool new concepts for commuter bicycles:

http://bicycledesign.blogspot.com/2009/ ... esign.html

By presenting new products like these, the aim is to attract previous non-cyclists to use bikes for commuting, leaving the car at home.

A chance to affect design of future commuter bikes by leaving comments at the blog...

UnworthyPapaLazaru

MuskOx looks nice!

biondino

Folding Commuter bike is pretty great I think. The plastic covered one is intriguing but I'm not sure it's necessary; the Muskox is pretty enough to appeal to people who like the aesthetics of cycling. The one with the roof could be great but can it really get the price/quality/utility balance right?

laFlamme

Remember this is about flirting with non-cyclists such as car users to start commuting by bike, not with existing cyclists - we all know bike commuting rocks!

If interested in this subject, please leave constructive criticism towards these concepts at the bicycle design blog; http://bicycledesign.blogspot.com/2009/ ... esign.html

spen666

laFlamme wrote:

Remember this is about flirting with non-cyclists such as car users to start commuting by bike, not with existing cyclists - we all know bike commuting rocks!

If interested in this subject, please leave constructive criticism towards these concepts at the bicycle design blog; http://bicycledesign.blogspot.com/2009/ ... esign.html

would you not be better therefore advertising your blog on non-cyclist websites if that is who the designs are aimed at

Vivid

I think these ideas would do the opposite to your intention. The designs are not unique in anyway and most ideas provide no benefit to the bike or commuter.

People commute by car and other powered means of transport for a reason, think about it!

always_tyred

A lot of the designs integrate existing features of commuting bikes.

Integration looks nice, but does this mean that when the LED leaks, you need a new bike? That folder - if you loose a key or the lock seizes, do you need a new bike?

Existing bikes are modular, and with good reason; any bike which is used wears out. Basically, everything is replaceable, including the frame. Organic integrated designs worry me as they lose this facility.

Btw - the one with a roof is designed by a non cyclist - most of the problem comes off the wheels from water on the road, not from the sky. A recumbent not only places the cyclist nicely in the zone of spray from passing vehicles, the design shown does not have mudguards.

D'Oh.

(The design with enclosed wheels and chain is good though - no oil on your suit and less chance of getting clothing caught up - THAT's design!)

laFlamme

spen666 wrote:

laFlamme wrote:

Remember this is about flirting with non-cyclists such as car users to start commuting by bike, not with existing cyclists - we all know bike commuting rocks!

If interested in this subject, please leave constructive criticism towards these concepts at the bicycle design blog; http://bicycledesign.blogspot.com/2009/ ... esign.html

would you not be better therefore advertising your blog on non-cyclist websites if that is who the designs are aimed at

Yes, will try to post on other commuter forums (car commuter forums - do they exist???), but still think it's a good idea getting cyclists feedback, providing hands on commuter experience to the table!

Bassjunkieuk

Personally the MuskOx looks the most appealing to me, but only because it's the most "normal" looking one and I have a fascination for things with big display panels (hence I love my prius!) the only thing I'd add is a running scalp count for SCR purposes :-)

jctdesign

Thanks for the comments and to whoever posted the original link. Bicycle design is my blog and the point of this competition was really just to throw out some new ideas and to generate a good discussion. I am pretty happy to see that happening.

To give a little background, I have been bike commuting for nearly 20 years, mostly on various road bikes. While that works for me, I know that it is not the answer for the majority of people out there who view bike commuting as a fringe activity at best. Those people make up the potential "red ocean" of bike commuters and they are not really being served by the industry at this time. I certainly don't have the answer, but I thought the question was worth asking and the competition grew out of that.

Anyway, As laFlame said, comments are welcome, on my blog or here. Thanks all for the feedback so far.