With their simple, fuss-free and streamlined design to combat the problem of bicycle thefts in Singapore, LASALLE final year Product Design students Joanna Christie Lie (20) and Yanti Agustin (20) collaborated with industry professional Inigo (a technical specialist with Toyota) to gain the top prize of $10,000 and a trophy in a national competition for a new bicycle bay design.
Called “Lock-lah”, the device features a round plate to cover the front shaft of the bicycle and a curved pipe at the front to prevent the front wheel from being stolen once the bicycle is locked in place. A steel railing allows the rear wheel and seat tube to be secured together.
The features of Lock-lah will be incorporated in the government’s development of a new blueprint for bicycle bays in Singapore.
“We feel proud, and grateful,” said Joanna and Yanti. “We never expected our simple and practical design to win.”
The inaugural Bicycle Bay Design Competition, launched in February, was jointly organised by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC). More than 150 designs were submitted by professional as well as student teams. The winners received their prizes at an award ceremony held in August.
The winning entry was selected by a panel of judges comprising representatives from SPF, NCPC, the Housing and Development Board, Land Transport Authority, National Parks Board, town councils and tertiary institutions.
Added Joanna and Yanti: “LASALLE taught us skills to identify user needs, and the fact that a design should fit the user needs and not the designer preference. It is important to design in a way that is simple as well as functional.”
