Makers With Agendas

This article was taken from the September 2013 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.

Architects spend their time worrying how a building suits a city. So when Belgian-Danish architect Julien De Smedt, 37, designed a bike, along with William Ravn, he was less interested in gear shifters than mobility as a whole. The resulting MIKE bike is, according to De Smedt, "all in" designed to replace city cars so completely that you can use it to cycle to the airport, luggage and a companion in tow.


The aluminium frame contains an integrated design system: front and back LED lights with blinkers; an all-aeroplane carry-on luggage front tray; pill steer; gender-neutral frame; integrated lock; vanity basket; and a smartphone docking station for charging, navigation and other information. A separate kit allows riders to add an electrically-powered motor.

MIKE is the first project from De Smedt and Ravn's Makers With Agendas studio: their mission is to "invent new design typologies." The MIKE bike, along with other projects from the pair, launches in September.

[ImageLibrary##307409/Any##Description¬Clockwise from top left: A smartphone dock is placed on the handle and the seat doubles as a cover for the basket. A sturdy carry tray will support a cabin bag and the cruiser handle has an integrated bell. Finally, the long saddle seat is large enough for two]