A children's bicycle designed purely for the purpose of play.

There are special bikes for special purposes. 

STATIONARY BIKE

Purpose: For exercise

ROAD BIKE

Purpose: to go from one place to another quickly

BEACH CRUISER

Purpose: to enjoy riding from one place to another

WHAT ABOUT A BIKE THAT'S PURPOSE IS FOR PLAY? 

How can I increase the play value in a bicycle for kids?

STAGE 1: IDENTIFY USER GROUP

73.6 Million Kids in the United States

*Each child represents 1 million kids

53% 

Children ride bicycles more frequently than

ANY OTHER AGE DEMOGRAPHIC.

of American households own at least one bicycle

and get this....

STAGE 2: OBSERVATION

How are kids "playing" with their bikes?

Even though a bike is often a child's first independent mode of transportation, it isn't solely used to transport from one place to another.

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DRIVEWAY PLAY

Most kids actually play with their bikes in a small radius of 2-3 houses away from their home. This is where bikes are currently being "played with" and not solely ridden for transportation.

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They build jumps, create adventure routes with friends, stage role play scenes such as traffic cops or set parameters from their neighborhood as scenes of racing. 

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TIME OUT. 

How is play being defined? 

"Play is often defined as activity done for its own sake, characterized by means rather than ends..."

-Peter K. Smith

Where does this fit into other forms of play?

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In this space, play value increases with play versatility - how well can one thing morph into something else to complete a different purpose?

This "play"  from bikes isn't just seen while the bike is being ridden, it's also being played with in a static form too. The crank set provides a new opportunity for play... turning the bike into a machine. 

STAGE 3: BRING IT BACK TO USER

USER 

CONSIDERATIONS:

-Versatile (can play with while riding and without riding)

- Lightweight

- Low and long (easier to balance)

- Approachable

- Form isn't "locked" into standard bike structure, but can serve multiple purposes

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STAGE 4: PROTOTYPES

A bike designed with this focus is approachable and versatile, capitalizing on the opportunities that the bike mechanisms already allow. 

The belt drive allows for grease free interaction and a closed back wheel minimizes risk of injury. 

The child is the source of power to create a machine of play and the bike can fluidly adapt to play while riding or in a stationary setting. The lava bike uses the mechanism to power a launcher, putting the power of play into those who do play, the kids.