Choppy Houtbalansfiets Vir Kinders by Aldis Blicsons

Choppy Houtbalansfiets Vir Kinders by Aldis Blicsons is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 A' Design Award in Yster in Speelgoed-, Speletjie- en Stokperdjieprodukte Ontwerp Competition Category.

YsterSpeelgoed· 2022

Choppy Houtbalansfiets Vir Kinders

by Aldis Blicsons

Client: STUM Inc.

A' Design Award in Yster Winner in Speelgoed Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #131024

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Choppy Houtbalansfiets Vir Kinders

Gemaak vir kinders tot 4 jaar oud, Choppy het 'n innoverende en aantreklike ontwerp. Die pedaallose fiets kan as 'n konstruksiespeletjie of boustene saamgestel word sonder om enige gereedskap te gebruik. Sitplek en handvatsels kan maklik by die hoogte van die jong ruiter aangepas word. Die verende sitplek is spesiaal ontwerp om die kind se rug te beskerm. Die ultra-ligte fiets het nie die standaard metaal laers of selfs 'n enkele skroef nie. Die fiets kan uitmekaar gehaal word, netjies in die kompakte boks gepak word en in die motor se kattebak of selfs die agtersitplek geberg word.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Yster

Choppy Houtbalansfiets Vir Kinders is 'n wenner van die A' Design Award in Yster, 'n prestigieuse erkenning wat toegeken word aan goeie ontwerpe wat voldoen aan die professionele en industriële vereistes wat van goed ontwerpte skeppings verwag word. Wenners in Yster toon groot vaardigheid, hoë spesialisasie, kundige begrip en die kreatiewe vermoë van hul skeppers. Daar word verwag dat Choppy Houtbalansfiets Vir Kinders 'n hoog aangeskrewe, bewonderde en gekoesterde skepping is wat prakties en innoverend is. Hierdie ontwerp wat die A' Design Award in Yster gewen het, integreer die beste praktyke in die bedryf en het bekwame tegniese kenmerke gekoppel aan kundigheid en talent. Choppy Houtbalansfiets Vir Kinders word gerespekteer vir sy deeglikheid en is ontwerp om verbeterings in lewensgehalte te bied wat help om die wêreld 'n beter plek te maak.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Choppy has an innovative and handsome design and is made for kids up to 4 years of age. It can be assembled as a construction game or building blocks without using any tools. Seat and handlebars can be easily adjusted to the height of the young rider. The springy bike seat protects the child’s back. The bike doesn’t have the standard metal bearings and not even a single screw, making it ultra-light. The inside of the box can be removed and used as a board game.
Dimensions & Packaging: Choppy: 750 mm x 350 mm x 460-470 mm

Choppy box: 590 mm x 40 mm x 490 mm
Tags: Choppy, bike, Choppybike, lightweight, children, wooden, balance, plywood, Latvia, sustainability, toddlers
Production Technology: Balance bike Choppy is the second product of an enthusiastic and friendly design and engineering team. After the success of our first balance bike - the award-winning Brum Brum Bike - we took up the challenge to make our next bike lighter, more nature-friendly, comfortable, and better suited for kids up to 4 years of age.

We worked on the Choppy design for several years. We involved the RTU Design Factory innovation workshop in creating several prototypes until we found the ideal design and functionality. Several experienced Latvian manufacturers participated in finding the best materials, developing technical solutions, and creating the perfect packaging.

Choppy is awesome, from the tops of its handle-bars down to the rubber on its wheels. In other words - from design to materials and even up to its packaging!

The balance bike is made out of Latvian-produced veneered birch plywood. In Latvia, ancient woodworking traditions intertwine with modern and innovative solutions. The country also produces premium quality birch plywood that is used in most of Choppy’s components. The bike doesn’t have the standard metal bearings and not even a single screw.

We were striving to make the kid’s balance bike as nature-friendly and sustainable as possible. That’s why the primary material of Choppy is wood — veneered birch plywood. Choppy is 100% manufactured in Latvia to avoid unsustainable long-distance transportation of materials. In addition to wood, the bike’s construction features different polymer composites and very little metal.

The packaging box is made out of FSC certified cardboard and put together without glue. It’s durable and designed for long-term storage and transportation of the Choppy bike. The box can be used together or separately with its inlet with an adventure track printed on it.
Design Challenge: We were striving to make the kid’s balance bike as nature-friendly and sustainable as possible. That’s why the primary material of Choppy is wood — veneered birch plywood. Choppy is 100% manufactured in Latvia (one of the greenest countries in Europe) to avoid unsustainable long-distance transportation of materials. Premium quality Latvian birch plywood makes up two-thirds of Choppy’s components. In addition to wood, the bike’s construction features different polymer composites and very little metal.
Choppy’s packaging deserves a special mention - the box doubles as a board game having an inlet with an adventure track printed on it. It’s made out of FSC-certified cardboard and put together without glue. The packaging is durable and designed for long-term storage and transportation of the Choppy bike.
Research: For Choppy’s designer and engineer team, this balance bike was the logical next step after their previous project - the Brum Brum Bike that received several awards for its appealing design and original packaging.

After Brum Brum Bike’s success, designers continued experimenting with different technical aspects, e.g., making the bike lighter. They wanted to create an innovative balance bike that could be adjusted to the height of very young children. Finally, they wondered if it was possible to create a sustainable product and one that could be assembled without tools. So, Choppy was born, embodying all these ideas and so much more.

We worked on the Choppy design for several years. We involved the RTU Design Factory innovation workshop in creating several prototypes until we found the ideal design and functionality. Several experienced Latvian manufacturers participated in finding the best materials, developing technical solutions, and creating the perfect packaging.
Inspiration: For Choppy’s designer and engineer team, this balance bike was the logical next step after their previous project - the Brum Brum Bike that received several awards for its appealing design and original packaging. Finally, they wondered if it was possible to create a sustainable product and one that could be assembled without tools. The packaging box is made out of FSC certified cardboard and put together without glue.
Project Duration: The project started in May 2016 and finished in September 2021 in Riga, Latvia.
Operation Flow: The balance bike features an innovative design without a single screw. Any adult can assemble the Choppy bike and adjust its height without using any tools. Moms will enjoy how easy it is to put the bike together, while dads or big brothers will find the assembly simpler than putting together Ikea furniture.

Choppy is a great travel buddy, too, because it’s so handy to bring along on any family trip. The bike can be dismantled, packed neatly in the compact box, and stored in the car’s trunk or even the back seat. When you arrive at your destination, you can quickly assemble it and ride into new adventures.
Patents: EUPIO No 003703305-0001
Team Members: Aldis Blicsons
Toms Grinbergs
Gatis Grandans