November 14th, 2008
The Hoop Wins CityRacks Competition
The “Hoop” wins New York’s “CityRacks” bike rack design competition. From the CityRacks blog:
The design of Ian Mahaffy and Maarten De Greeve (Bettlelab), based in Copenhagen, Denmark, was selected as the first-place winner in the outdoor competition that attracted over 200 entrants from around the world. Their design was one of ten prototypes installed and tested at Astor Place since September 30. DOT intends to use Mahaffy and De Greeve’s design as the new standard bicycle rack installed on New York City’s sidewalks. The jury also recognized second-place winner Andrew Lang and Harry Dobbs of London and third-place winner Ignacio Ciocchini of New York. Mahaffy and De Greeve will receive a $10,000 prize courtesy of Transportation Alternatives, Dobbs and Lang a $3,000 prize and Ciocchini a $2,000 prize.
Mahaffy and De Greeve’s design reflects a modern simplicity that will greatly enhance the City’s streetscape. The rack is round with a horizontal crossbar, evoking an abstracted bicycle tire. Constructed of cast-metal, the design is elegant yet sturdy enough to withstand the harshest street environments.
5 Responses to “The Hoop Wins CityRacks Competition”
I don’t see how they are installed. They appear to have minimum contact with the ground. So if there is a stud going down into the ground it doesn’t appear that it would be that strong.
Pushing back and forth on the top of the wheel would produce a lot of torque. A cyclist wouldn’t do it but vandals do things because they can.
Clean design? Yes. Vandal proof? Maybe not.
@Loren
I see what you’re saying, it’s hard to imagine how they’re anchored. I guess they tested prototypes at Astor Place for 30 days, so I have to assume they’re sturdy enough though.
I’m guessing that part of the cast iron design is a very long, oval beam that comes down off of the wheel itself. That part is sunken into the ground. If it was all one piece then no bolts or studs would be necessary.
The ground contact is minimal but significant enough that you could still have an greatly oversized attachment area for said beam. Casting it all as one piece reduces cost and eases installation.
Go to the original article; the picture should explain how it’s anchored.
I would have trouble recognizing it as a bike-rack. :-) Looks cool though!
Leave a Reply
You can also follow the discussion by subscribing to the Comments RSS Feed.