On yer (designer) bike

Bike Show, which is being curated in conjunction with Eleven Design, is being held at The Civic in Barnsley, and presents a series of bikes that aim to appeal to enthusiastic MAMILs (that’s middle-aged men in Lycra) and novices alike.

The Civic says,  ‘With an emphasis on the influence of cycling culture on contemporary design, the exhibition explores technological advancements and the best in innovation, presenting particularly unusual and pioneering examples of two-wheeled transport’.

These include Lovegrove’s Bamboo Bike; Starck’s Pibal and Ben Wilson’s bright and decidedly utilitarian Donky bike.

The Tour element is represented by a vintage bike ridden in the race by Greg LeMond and jerseys and shoes used by notable cyclists.

The show also looks to reveal how cycling has influenced other areas of design, displaying the Wassily Chair by Bauhaus designer Marcel Breuer – said to be inspired by his Adler bicycle in its use of steel tubing. Visitors will also get the chance to see contemporary pieces including Rui Alves’ Tour Chair.

The show will coincide with another celebration of le Tour’s Northern Grand Grand Départ at Sheffield’s Millennium Gallery, Yellow, for which Alan Kitching, Margaret Calvert, M/M Paris and Wim Crouwel are among the designers who have created work inspired by the event’s Yellow Jersey.

Bike Show runs from 16 May – 12 July at The Gallery at The Civic, Hanson Street, Barnsley, S70 2HZ