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A Different Kind of Concept Bike
Back in March, we caught a tantalizing glimpse of "FLIZ," an unconventional (to say the least) concept bicycle that was on view at the first annual Munich Creative Business Week. With nary a project page (their current site remains scant on details) to follow up with the design team, we were pleasantly surprised to see that they published the project earlier this month, as an entry for the James Dyson Award: FLIZ comes from the German "flitzen" and means speeding... with your feet... Based on the very first bike—the "Laufrad"—it is a velocipede concept of healthy, ecological mobility in overcrowded urban space. Its laminated, innovative frame with 5 point belt system does not only mark the outstanding appearance, but first of all it provides a comfortable, ergonomic ride between running and biking. The frame integrates the rider and due to its construction it works like a suspension whereas the belt replaces the saddle and adjusts your position. These aspects reduce pressure in the crotch and distribute the body weight while running, which is a unique feature. On the bottom of the rear stays special treads are located to place and relax the feet.
That takes care of what; as for why:After analysing the original running machine constructed by Karl Freiherr von Drais, the inventor of the velocipede that was basic to the bicycle, we liked to revive that principle. So we put some questions: "Does the running machine make any sense for adults nowadays? If yes, how and where could it be useful?" "How can we offer a certain amount of mobility to people, who are by any reason not able to ride a bike (or drive a car)?"
Childrens' balance bicycles are perhaps the last vestige of the draisine of lore: the pedal-powered drivetrain was the major innovation of the modern bicycle—this so-called 'safety bicycle' evolved from the penny farthing, itself a successor to the draisine—and the bicycle design hasn't changed much (Moulton, Obree, Y-Foil, etc. notwithstanding) for over a century.
If the term 'safety bicycle' conjures a specialized assistive device, so too does the FLIZ look like an elaborate physical therapy apparatus. Where the inspiration was atavistic, the execution is futuristic: the bumblebee-yellow glass and carbon fiber frame has a slick, high-performance aesthetic. Thus, it comes off as a confused hybrid of the Batpod and the Flintstones car, biomechanical and armor-like yet almost too low-tech, forgoing mechanical advantage for bipedal locomotion.After testing a replica of the running machine of Drais we pointed out some negative aspects, e.g. the unsafe steering or the wide seat stay. Our idea then was "freedom for the running legs." Beside sketching we built a ridable prototype made of wood and tension belts, of which we realized the potential of the concept. Sketches and mock-ups were followed by the handmade prototype FLIZ. There is a 1:4 scale model as well.
The main plaint against the FLIZ, as others have pointed out, is that it just looks awkward, something like what racewalking is to running. In other words, I'm not sure who the FLIZ is for: those "who are by any reason not able to ride a bike," yet who are capable of walking and balancing whlie suspended from a harness? Is the FLIZ a solution looking for a problem, or are we missing something?
Helmet-tip to BikeGotham
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Comments
THIS contraption (I wouldn't dignify it's existence by calling it a bike), legalizes suicide. I wish they left the video up; I want to see how long it takes to strap it on. One post mentioned rear fairing...you WILL break your foot. How about room for a helmet? Peripheral visibility?
If you change it from a design assignment "Reinventing The Already Perfected" to a piece of performance art and called it "My Last Day on Earth", I would buy into it.
The next year I did the same ride again with a pal, and we were stunned when a party of a dozen or so NUNS in FULL HABITS walked PAST us going up that hill as we struggled along in granny gear. So this "walking" bike ain't such a dumb idea after all, it just seems the original, French design would be far safer than this "slung" version if translated onto a modern bike.
933 Francis Faure, a Frenchman, rode a recumbent 28 miles (45 km) in an hour, a new record. The UCI (Union Cyclist International) has a lot to answer for.
As someone already mentioned, the spokes really could be of much concern. It'd be hard to adapt to when used to today's bicycles. Also, I think it'd be hard for the user to fully look around. Even if this was placed in a pedestrian situation (skateboard and roller skates category), I could imagine moderate accidents waiting to happen.
Imo, they should place the concept into further development, should they want to produce it. Some FMEA, common sense, Murphy's Law and extensive testing should do the trick (so to say).
Other than those issues I think that the concept is very cool and would be fun to ride. The fact that you have to run in order to go fast make riding it a very good workout. People are always looking for new ways to exercise so this product will attract a lot of people.
I'd like to try this 'thing'....
If you want to be condemning... then you'd best be offering up improvements. Otherwise, let your mind open up a bit, think about the possibilities and quit yer bitchin.
If this is the future of our profession, it is pretty sad.
From this someone could draw inspiration and create something better. So to anyone who is complaining just chill out.
Seriously? This is so stupid; what's the point of making a bicycle concept that is exponentially less practical, safe, comfortable and efficient than the absolute worst bicycle you could ever buy.
Call it "design", and I'll call it:
- Dynamic Mobile Wedgie
- Anti-Ergonomic Amalgamation
- Carbon Composite Contraception
this type of thing is why people generally assume that all designers use drugs.
No, really, why?
So useless, and a waste of time, resources and so much more. It's so ridiculous, i can't even imagine this people are serious. Please tell me it is a joke. Please.
I mean, how would you even stand up if this tipped over while you were riding it?
I think most here just don't get it and bicker about functional things and forget the creative process that supposedly drives their industry. It has been explored and probably is a functional failure. So what?! Enjoy it for what it is.
Product archetypes are product archetypes for a reason. I know it's a thrilling thing to try and come up with something that hasn't been done before, but that's not a good enough reason. You really have to have something more compelling than this. This, or a spokeless wheel.
I know I'm oversimplifying and generalizing here, but I mean, really? The rest of the world already has enough ammo to question the wisdom of our contributions. Why give them another thing to point at and say "What the hell are they thinking?"
I've tried finding statistics on how the actual bicycle fares during a fatal or serious bicycle-traffic accident however understandably, I can't find any.
But if a car were to hit you whilst you were riding a bicycle, would you not stand more chance walking away unscathed or even alive if you were thrown (or could throw yourself, or could even adjust your position when landing) from the bicycle? Surely being strapped in (to what must only become an unstable anchor) puts you more at risk?
In the UK, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) released a set of figures in July of this year on cycling accidents, which said 75% of serious or fatal cyclist accidents occured in urban areas (75% of 107 killed, 3,085 seriously injured).
It's probably fair to say that a substantial amount of those severe cycling accidents were due to the rider being injured after being flung from the bike (for instance in a head on collision), but even in those circumstances, what the hell happened to the bike?
In my mind, introducing these onto the roads would make for a few, if not a lot, of the 16,023 'Slightly injured' to be bumped up a category or two.
(Also from a functional point of view; going up an gradient would be adding the weight of 2 wheels to your walking pace, plus the user would take a good ten seconds to strap themselves in, compared to the 2 seconds it takes to mount a bicycle, which doesn't seem to suit the urban-travel ethos.)
The main thing I'm worried about is how it hinders the rider's breathing...