Melbourne Stage 1 - You've got to be kidding, right?

I just stumbled across this on the web direst from Transport Victoria.  Surely they can't be serious, placing every single bike hub on the one road (Swanston St) !? What if you want to go to the East or West of the CBD? or down the river? or up to Smith St? If this is the final plan for stage 1 Melbourne Bixi will not make it to a stage 2.

The original Link: http://www.transport.vic.gov.au/DOI/DOIElect.nsf/$UNIDS+for+Web+Display/CA1FF7A3A3FC49BDCA2576E80075C955/$FILE/melbourne_bike_share_map.pdf

Design Direction

Here is the design direction MInT has decided to take.  The design is minimal, sturdy, easy to use and reflects Melbourne's aesthetic vernacular in its angular frame and strong lines.

Modelling is already underway, a couple of quick snaps of the progress can be seen below.

Pure Evil Parts

Stumbled across Blackspire today.  How much more evil can bike parts look?
http://www.blackspire.com/

Yakkay Helmets

For those who didn't catch the link in my concepts upload, here is a Link to the Yakkay website.  I have not yet had a chance to compare the European helmet laws to those of Australia, but am hoping that they will be similar enough to consider the helmet as viable for Australia.

Yakkay

Team MInT Concepts

 

 

It's Here!

The website for RACV/Bixi's Melbourne bike share is up. It still doesn't tell us anything we didn't already know:

http://www.melbournebikeshare.com.au/

Concepts

Concept 1: 
A reflection of the Cafe scene in Melbourne reflecting the smooth lines of '6o's scooters which have recentl.y come back into vogue with the resurrection of Vespa and Piaggio in Australia.  Colour reflects the sandstone and subtle yellow greys found in early Melbourne buildings and recent design icons such as Federation Square. Single sided forks act as a design feature as well as necessitating the use of single sided hubs, which due to their uniqueness will be of less interest to people looking to steal parts for their own bikes.  Frame is made from pressed Aluminium Alloy halves, avoiding the need for additional structural elents which would add weight. Rear fork acts as integrated chainguard.

Storage unit is fitted to the rear of the seatpost and includes helmet storage, taillights, battery for lights, wheel lock and GPS tracker.  Removing helmet releases wheel lock, but helmet must be returned to storage in order to dock the bike succesfully.


In order to encourage the use of helmets Yakkay helmets have been selected. Basic single size helmet shell is kept in storage unit.  Hygenically cleaned lining in a range of 5 sizes is dispensed upon bike hire, with the aditional option of fashionable covers to encourage use which can be hired for a small additional fee.  Check out Yakkay's website for more information on their wonderful helmet system: http://www.yakkay.com/

Concept 2:
This bike reflects the minimalism that is bringing so much joy to cycling at the moment. A simple tubular frame of Chromolly, 24" wheels.  Suggestions of classic period bicycles blended with modern concepts such as incorporated handlebar/headlight and offset bottom bracket to provide a sturdy bottom end and maximise flexibility of seatpost length.  All the classic class of a fixie without the stressful riding position or lack of brakes and gears.


Docking system is made up of only 2 components, a control unit which takes payment via credit card or credit card linked MYKI card and vends helmet liners and covers, and a docking module designed to handle 3 bikes.  Docking unit features lock to bicycles integrated storage unit, protects seat, crank and pedal assembly and rear wheel from theft or vandalism.  Because bike's front end is left free to spin, risk of damage to the front wheel by vandalism is greatly reduced. Tracking is incorporated into the bottom of the unit to ease docking and undocking of bikes.  Both units interact wirelessly and are completely modular, 1 control unit can be hooked up to any number of docking modules depending on location needs.

International Blog on Australian Helmets

An interesting blog discussion on the Melbourne Helmet issue as it relates to the BIXI hire system being introduced here shortly.

http://www.copenhagenize.com/2009/11/sue-mr-rubbo-and-australian-bixis.html

PDS

A Brief Look at 60's American Bicycle Innovation

A selection of examples of attempted bicycle innovation taken from my collection of 60's Popular Mechanics and Mechanics Illustrated magazines.  Enjoy!