URBAN DESIGN | SOPAVILLION SITE
Client
Personal Project
DIS, Copenhagen, Denmark

Roles: Design Researcher, Lead Designer

Digital  digital assets
Print  research summary document, project poster
Product  section model (1/800 scale)

CHALLENGE

1.  Bicycle commuters face a consistent problem of being visible to motorists without added cost.
2.  Current solutions for safety are 'premium' products unattainable to populations who would most benefit from reliable transportation.

SOLUTION

1.  Create a bike which enables the rider to be visible and communicate intent to motorists in any situation (lighting, weather, etc).
2.  Test manufacturability of  built-in standard safety features using existing technology.

RESEARCH

  • Analyze Global to Local Variables of urban/city bike use
  • Gather historical functionality, current bike Trends and other bike related data to inform design intervention and needs
INSIGHTS
  • Various obstacles in Cyclist-Motorist environmental communication chain
  • 2030 Local travel consists of short trips (<7 miles)
  • Manufacturability is possible,however, current socioeconomic barriers + social attitudes + stigmas = current barrier adoption for majority Michigan
  • Autos still viewed a necessity vs bicycle as a luxury/leisure item
  • Additional infrastructure & slow development barriers in Michigan
Research: Publication materials on cyclist/motorist collision scenarios
Field Research/Observations

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

TRANSPORTATION LIGHTING RESEARCH
Motorcycle headlight form observations
Locomotive form study to translate into bike headlight option
Headlight Form Studies
ERGONOMIC RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Safer experience. Implementing switches to avoid rider removing hands from steering and maintain control of bike
Frame Design for future utility and safety

PROTOTYPE/MODEL BUILD PROCESS

Below: Bike Build and component prep work using various fabrication methods.