On the road to success: IKEA bike receives Red Dot: Best of the Best
Whether furniture, kitchens, or decorative items: In private spaces IKEA products are already firmly established. With the bicycle SLADDA, designed by the Swedish agency Veryday, IKEA is now launching a product for the public space. Like the interior items of the Swedish manufacturer, SLADDA meets not only functional requirements, but also brings a sophisticated design – which this year received a Red Dot: Best of the Best.
Purist IKEA bicycle rides without chain
Just like IKEA furniture fits in individual living environments, SLADDA is a bike for everyone with its reduced form, simple, gender-neutral frame and changeability. The special features lie in the details: Instead of a chain, the bicycle is driven by a belt, which does not need any oil and does not rust. In addition, the bike automatically switches between two gears. But above all, SLADDA is convertible: By its click-in-system accessories such as baskets, bags or bike trailers can be attached to the frame, whereby the bike not only adapts to the user, but also to its current activity.
Designed by a renowned agency
With the choice of the agency Veryday for the design of the bicycle, IKEA has set on proven quality: for its constantly excellent work in the field of product design, the renowned Swedish design forge based in Stockholm was awarded the Red Dot: Design Team of the Year two years ago. One can not apply for this honorary title, which has already been given to design constants such as Apple and Porsche in the past – it is awarded by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen and is annually given to a design team which has convinced with its performances over the years.
“Customisable like a tablet with apps”
When they designed the bike, Veryday particularly put emphasis on diversity and sustainability: “SLADDA is like a tablet with apps, in the sense that you can customise it with several different accessories adapted to make everyday life easier for the user”, says Oskar Juhlin, Director Industrial Design at Veryday. “It enables the user to replace the car, and by doing so contributing to a more eco-friendly environment.” In addition to SLADDA, the in-house design of IKEA convinced the jury with the table series LISABO, which was awarded the Red Dot.
