Innovative Bicycle Storage Solutions from Andrew Lang

Andrew Lang, designer of Cycloc Photograph: Luke Hayes/guardian.co.uk

"Bicycles no longer need to clutter entryways." Time Magazine

The theory that states that the simplest ideas are the best is proved in spades by the Cycloc – the brainchild of product and industrial designer Andrew Lang. That's not to undervalue its genius, which delivers a practical solution with an injection of edgy art installation style. So, what exactly is it? Put simply, the device is a cycle storage solution that dexterously solves the problem of bike storage in confined spaces.

Visually, the Cycloc is a circular plastic object resembling an abstract waste paper bin, that wouldn't look out of place on the pages of Wallpaper or in avant-garde art galleries. This fixes to the wall via concealed fixings and slots to most bike frames, holding it securely in place vertically or horizontally and transforming hallways into clutter-free havens. You can store accessories inside as the frame sits on the wall and pop your helmet on top. Smart.

As an avid cyclist with limited storage space, Lang was interested in investigating solutions that stood out from other "utilitarian, ugly" products. He had his 'light bulb moment' whilst nonchalantly playing with a pen. "I realised I could hold my pen and stop it falling out between my thumb and finger. The next stage was to cut up a Styrofoam cup that I pinned onto a board," he reveals. The embryo of an idea was born and "the process scaled up from there."

Despite citing his creative vision as one that celebrates design simplicity; "paring products back to their fundamental elements," he wasn't initially convinced the idea had legs. "At first, I thought that's too simple, so I explored a few options before coming back to it as the most elegant."

He chose an international tradeshow in Milan in 2006 as the launch pad, where it was quickly snapped up by American 'style guru' Murray Moss for his cult lifestyle boutique label, Moss, in New York's Soho.

Today the plaudits and interest are starting to speak for themselves. Last week he won the accessory category at the 2009 Eurobike Award, which he labels the "biggest relevant accolade and a very promising start." It's also doing well as an art installation, with one currently exhibited at a gallery in Quebec.

Lang studied Industrial design at Napier University before honing his structural engineering skills at a few practices in London, where he became fascinated by "how product design relates to buildings and public spaces." As an architect specialising in urban design, current collaborator Harry Dobbs couldn't be a stronger advocate of this passion. Meeting at The Royal College of Art, the duo are the perfect fusion of design yin and yang. It was a year and a half ago when they embarked on their first professional collaboration, entering a design competition to create a cycle stand for New York City. The brief was to combine heightened security with an iconic design identity.

Their entry, y-stand, was one of three winners. The Y-shape as Harry articulates, " is a piece of street furniture that fuses a strong identity and sense of place." It scores high on functionality too. The diagonal arms of the Y prompt bike locking in exactly the right points; around the wheel and frame. It's also intended to encourage urbanites to choose cycling as their transport and this link to sustainability both collaborators strongly believe in.

Harry explains, "We are hoping to turn it into a marketing campaign piece, along the lines of 'I love cycling'." Andrew continues, "we've managed to display it at the Building Research Establishment, the focus in the UK for sustainable construction."




Via Guardian & Core77