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Janne Pärssinen, an Aalto industrial design student just starting in the CoID (Collaborative and Industrial Design) programme has done well in an annual design competition hosted by RD-Velho. The assignment was to design a new electrically assisted bicycle concept for Helkama. Pärssinen was placed second in the competition with his entry named ‘Kaari’.

The jury valued especially usability, good handling and designs that take into account the manufacturing. They also emphasized good visual appearance and representation.

Pärssinen created the contest entry during the summer and wrote his design bachelor thesis from the same process.

– The second place and 1500 euros were a great ender for the project, says Pärssinen.

– I am an enthusiastic bicycle hobbyist so obviously I got excited for the theme of the competition. The basis for the design was my own bicycle experience. I also did some field research by interviewing cargo bikers on the streets of Helsinki. Good handling was in the end the most important factor, says Pärssinen.

– The bike is a variant of the traditional two wheeled ‘Long John’ cargo bicycle, which has a cargo space in the front behind the front wheel. With small changes to the geometry of the bicycle and by using cable steering, I could make the model shorter and nimbler and improve the handling. I tried to make the cargo space as multifunctional as possible. The bike can be loaded in many different ways and various accessories can be designed to make it better suited for specific needs, such as transporting children. The lights, cables and wires are also integrated in the frame, explains Pärssinen.

Judges: “Functional”

– Kaari is symphatetic looking, developable and distinctive bicycle. The concept proposed by Pärssinen is functional, stylish, implementable and quite ready for production, the jury assesses. 

The Jury consisted of Tero Valtonen (Helkama Velox Oy), Marko Mehtonen (Helkama Velox Oy), Reijo Markku (Design Reform Oy), Matti Hirvonen (Pyöräilykuntien verkosto ry), Mika Kiljala (RD Velho Oy) and Ville Nenonen (RD Velho Oy). Hannu Havusto (RD Velho Oy) acted as a secretary with no right to vote.

Chances all the way to production

Helkama received many good ideas that may be taken to production. The winner of the competition was Kai Klementti with his SHERBA concept. The third prize went to Juho Länsimaa’s Buster concept.

– All the rewarded bicycles are without doubt good for further development. It is very likely that one or more of them end up in production in Helkama Velox. (Tero Valtonen, CEO of Helkama Velox) (Helkama Velox press release)

– I wish to see my bicycle design on the streets one day. I aim to be a part of the potential further development in case Helkama wants to take my idea further, says Pärssinen.

Read more:

Helkama velox press release: