Luminous, wearable bike lock solves multiple problems
If you’re one of the millions of people who commute (to work, play, or both) via bicycle, we salute you. There are a lot of good reasons to get around on a bike, but there are also a few noteworthy drawbacks, namely, automobile drivers who seem to be incapable of noticing bicyclists, and people who will happily steal your bike if you’re trusting enough to actually park it anywhere.
From Geraint Rowland.
A Japanese company has come up with a novel solution to both problems. Bicyclists, meet the City Firefly, a luminous, wearable bike lock. City Firefly doesn’t look like much at first. It’s a tube, approximately four feet long and one inch think. It’s made of what appears to be flexible plastic. Here’s the kicker: City Firefly has a small “key” on the end that detaches and plugs into a USB port. When the key is charged up, it reattaches and causes the entire length of the tube to glow with a bright, colorful light. While you’re riding your bike, the City Firefly drapes over your shoulder and secures at the hip, somewhat akin to a cross-body purse. When you’re stopped, you can use the bike lock to secure your bike.
No more bulky locks wrapped around your bike frame, knocking into your legs as you pedal.
No more dangerous invisibility during nighttime rides.
The City Firefly is actually the brainchild of an advertising agency called TWBA\HAKUHODO. Perhaps that explains why the product was introduced with a sleekly-produced video. (There’s just one problem: The models in the video aren’t wearing helmets, which kind of negates the safety benefits of wearing a light-up product.)
The designers explain that the concept was “inspired by fireflies, which [sic] use their flashing lights to signal and warn of danger in a beautiful way.”
The City Firefly has received quite a bit of buzz already. Loke Shi Ying wrote about the City Firefly for the website DesignTaxi, and reports that the product won “Best of the Best” among Red Dot’s 2014 Design Awards. No word on whether the City Firefly is still in the prototype phase or is currently commercially available.
City Firefly – Wearable bicycle chain lock concept (Red Dot Award: Best of the best) from TBWA\HAKUHODO\QUANTUM on Vimeo.