Quite an interesting interview with the designer: An Interview With Folding Bike Designer Josef Cadek By Larry Lagarde Q: Why did you design the Locust folding bike? A: I used to race bicycles (road and track) and that is why it was always my goal to design some new, unusual bike. I consider the folding bike something very useful and practical, but most of the available ones have lots of compromises. In my work, I am always searching for new ways to solve problems and issues, ways that have never been tried or ever considered. For example, the bicycle was first invented over 100 years ago. Over the years, many bicycles have been designed and many engineering and design solutions have been applied, with time and experience determining which ideas worked (with the rest relegated to museums). Under these circumstances, it seems hardly possible to create something new, fresh and innovative; however, this challenge is exactly what excites me - creating new thoughts and things for future. Q: How did you come up with the radical design of the Locust folding bicycle? A: When I design a product, form follows function. I always look for the "inner meaning" of things to determine which design allows the product to work best. As a result, the appearance of my designs is always the conclusion never the starting point. The idea behind the Locust was developed in a very analytical way: I asked myself what parts of a normal bike can never fold? Wheels, of course. So everything else must be subordinated to wheels...and from this idea it was clear to me what shape the bike will have. Also, one of my core objectives was to keep "classic conservative geometry", using the biggest wheels possible to achieve the easy handling and feel of a normal bike. Q: How did you come up with the name "Locust"? A: Locust was the first name that came across my mind when I had completed the first sketch. Somehow, the design reminds me of a locust and the name stuck. Q: What is the target market for the Locust? A: Everyone. Kids commuting to schools, students on campuses, families, car users (it could be a trunk bike) and even businessmen in cities... Q: How long have you been working to get the Locust folding bike built? A: It is over the year now. I know it is hard and it might take a while. Q: What material do you envision using for the Locust's frame? A: Molded plastic; it keeps the weight and price low. Materials like carbon fiber would move it to the category of exclusive and luxurious goods and I do not want that to happen. Q: Have you ever rode a folding bike? A: I have rode on a couple of different models but I don't own any. Q: Do you have a favorite folding bike (among those now commercially available)? A: No. I was not happy with any. I do have a racing bike and will also be the owner of the Locust folding bicycle with serial number 0000001. :-) Q: Have you received many inquiries about the Locust? A: I am constantly receiving questions from all over the world about availability, weight, colors modifications etc. People want it and there is huge business potential in it. Companies want to sell it and I have received offers for distribution in the UK, EU, Asia etc... Q: What's your goal for the Locust folding bike? A: To see it in the streets. Everything else is just details. Q: I see that you have other designs on your website. It looks like you specialize in transportation designs; is that correct? A: Sort of, I studied in Prague at CTU (Czech Technical University) faculty of transportation science. Thus, transportation design is the main sphere of my design work, but I have done other projects as well (household products and baby products for example).
