Bike to the future

The Oregon Manifest Construction Design Challenge in the US charged designers with ‘redefining’ the bicycle – ideas that came back featured sound systems, motors and passenger seats.

Entrants to the challenge were tasked with designing and building a new bicycle and then road-testing it on a rigorous on- and off-road course.

Running alongside alongside the challenge were three ‘creative collaborations’, which saw design groups Ideo, Fuseproject and Ziba paired up with US bike builders to ‘push the boundaries of what the modern bike can do’.

Fuseproject and Sycip's design
Fuseproject and Sycip’s design

The overall challenge was won by Tony Pereira of Pereira Cycles, whose design includes a lockable storage box and an integrated sound system, which means cyclists can listen to music without using headphones.

Pereira’s design aims to show that the sort of amenities that drivers have in cars – such as storage and car stereos – can be transferred over to bikes.

The winning design by Tom Pereira
The winning design by Tony Pereira

The student category was won by a team from the University of Oregon, whose design is customisable and features a retractable kick-stand in the frame. The judges praised its ‘naïve, fresh, creative approach’.

For its design Ideo, which worked with Rock Lobster, added an integrated leather motor and some rather snazzy leather detailing.

Ideo and Rock Lobster's design
Ideo and Rock Lobster’s design

Ziba Design, which worked with Signal Cycles, created a traditional-looking bike with a fold-up side-car, while Fuseproject, working with Sycip Designs, developed a tricycle with a modular cargo platform and snazzy hi-viz orange wheels.

Ziba and Signal Cycles's design
Ziba and Signal Cycles’s design

Having made it through the rigorous field testing challenge, the bike designs are now going on show in Oregon until the end of October.

field testing
field testing

For more information visit www.oregonmanifest.com

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  • Tony Pereira November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Thanks for the writeup. My name is Tony, not Tom.

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