I can’t believe it is Bicycle Create Change’s 4th Christmas!
Happy Christmas and holidays all!
‘Tis the time to spend copious amounts of money on shit we don’t need!
Have you got your bike-themed presents organised?
This time last year, I posted about recycled bicycle decorations – the foundation of which are the recycled bicycle art medallions that were the focus for my four months in the Sunshine Family art studio.
The year before that, was my top 10 ethical, community-supportive, green, fair-trade, sustainable, bike-inspired gifts for any kind of cyclist.
There was also the Brisbane bicycle-powered Christmas tree, which was an unexpected inner-city highlight.
This year I’ve
1. Anything by Anthony Oram
Anthony Oram is a UK designer/creative who rides bikes. As such, his website has an impressive great range of limited edition bicycle-themed art, prints, frames, notebooks, bags, t-shirts and heaps of other products. Anthony’s motto ‘build bikes, not bombs’ is understandably in high demand. All designs are Anthony’s so you can guarantee these products are unique. He is based in the UK, but ships worldwide.
Personally, I really dig his notebooks. Classy, functional, creative and quintessentially bikey – a perfect Christmas gift!
More professional designers creating bicycle products like this please!
2. Bike Planters and Bike Vases
1. Bike Vase
3D Mood is a German design group- Bicycle vase. Pimp your bike with this beautiful mini bike vase. Simple clamping with an elastic. Vase is made with a 3d printer with PLA plastic. This plastic strain is made from biodegradable vegetable raw materials (corn starch or sugarcane), and is therefore promoted as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics from petroleum chemicals.
2. Colleen Jordan
According to Fast Company, the Atlanta-based designer Colleen Jordan got the idea for the planters from the flower pots in the new generation of Volkswagen Beetles. “Putting a plant in a car like that seemed to be contradictory,” she tells Co.Design. “A lot of cyclists seem to be plant lovers as well, so the combination just seemed right in my mind.” So she began offering made-to-order 3-D printed vessels that attach to a bike frame with an elastic cord. Jordan recommends using a clipping from a succulent or a large air plant. Since they’re made from polyamide, a porous material, excess water drains out of the bottom.
3. Icosahedron Bike Planter – Wearable Planter
Another design in the Wearable Planter series is the Icosahedron Bike Planter, whose website promotes as a wearable planter for your bike. It is great with air plants and small succulents, which you can show off as you ride around town and make your green transportation even greener. The form uses modelling software and 3D printing.
The dye comes in bright colours and seals the final piece. A strong elastic cord attaches it to your bike. When you purchase the planter, it does not come with plants, but it does provide advice on which plants work best and how to plant.
3. The Ivy Bike Lock by Sono Mochie
I don’t know how secure this lock is – and after having our most beloved
That being said, if you don’t need/want an industrial style lock, then this lock might fit the bill.
Sonon Mochie is quoted as saying: “why does our bicycle need to be connected to light poles by chains like a criminal in prison? Inspired by nature, the design of this cable wire lock is a mimicry of ivy. It is unified in our daily scene and promotes protection of the environment. It is soft and feels natural. ‘ivy’ is a plug to awaken the relationship between you and society.”
The Ivy Bike Lock was a shortlisted design in the 2010 Seoul Cycle Design competition (organized by Designboom in collaboration with Seoul Design Foundation).
4. A Bicycle Week Calendar
This fun gift is a chalkboard bicycle wheel week calendar/list that spins.
It comes from Thistlewood Farm and their website has the full instructions with step-by-step photos of how you can produce this yourself.
It would take about $25 to make at home- and how satisfying!
This product is enviro and family friendly and would be an awesome centrepiece on a bicycle-mad family’s kitchen wall.
Its also a great reminder that recycling bike parts can make great gifts given a little imagination, elbow grease and planning.
5. Bicycle Cookie-Cutters
I’ve previously written about the burgeoning bicycle-inspired cake industry, so I’m not surprised that other baked goods soon followed in popularity.
Enter the humble bicycle cookie cutter craze.
If your house likes baking and/or has one (or more hungry cyclists), then check out these kooky bicycle cookie cutters. I can definitely see these at office parties, children’s parties, work Christmas parties and your next cycling race event!
You can get these and other designs on Etsy.
