Press Release
THE NEW YBIKE BOLDLY RIDES INTO TOWN.
Third place Toddler Toy of the Year Award 2007.
On the 15th of November this year, YBIKE won Bronze in the SA Toy Association’s yearly toy awards. This against toys sold in South Africa over that period and against opposition from all over the World including such established brands as Lego, Mecano and Bratz. What is even more incredible is that not one YBIKE had reached a shop shelf yet. A prototype had been sent to be judged.
A thing of beauty!
We all know that design is measured by form and function. It simply won’t last if it’s just a pretty face. It is therefore, with a sigh of relief and lots of gratitude, that South African parents receive the new YBIKE pushbike. Form and function. What style. What grace. At long last a toy which won’t scare the guests. A functional toy which can display itself with pride alongside all the other stylish elements in and around the home.
But is it practical?
No responsible parent is going to buy a toy unless it contributes in some way to the development of skills. YBIKE has been designed by a parent, for his daughters, Anja and Emma and they were instrumental in trying and testing the new streamlined toy. This one works hard, yet pleases the eye.
What about safety measures?
This pushbike is tough. YBIKE sports injection moulded construction, which eliminates weak points and offers more design freedom, hence the sleeker curves and smooth, superior finish.
When it comes to kids, safety is the main concern. For this reason the front wheel is considerably further forward, affording a bigger turning circle, which reduces the risk of falling over the front when turning. The back wheel is also covered to stop children from riding over their feet. The YBIKE body is designed for better clearance of obstacles and the larger wheels produce a safer ride on uneven surfaces.
What makes the YBIKE different from existing pushbikes?
Simply design through intelligence. More thought has gone into it. There’s just enough balancing support where necessary so as not to stunt essential motor-skills development.
The seating position is a firm improvement, no longer above the rear wheel, but further forward. This move forward allows for more legroom for the young child’s legs as they propel themselves along and also keeps their feet clear of the wheels.
But only one wheel at the back you may ask? The reason is once again so that the balancing support is minimised to encourage better motor-development skills. Already toddler bikes in Europe are manufactured without side wheels because it proved to delay important development. With only one large wheel, which sports a smaller footprint than the competitors, the YBIKE will have your child leading the pack. During a demonstration it was obvious to see how the little rider starts leaning the bike into the corner.
Current bikes, all with a tri-cycle set-up, do not allow for leaning and as a result, kids simply fall off the bike during high-speed turns, or even worse – do not feel confident enough to risk high-speed turns. Ease of handling results in safer turns, unless of course you prefer them to learn the hard way.
A 100% South African concept and design.
YBIKE was born out of a need, is the brain toy of Jaco Kruger and was honed and perfected by his partner in Chrome Cherry Design Studio, Jean van der Merwe, a Cum Laude Industrial Designer with a great future. Other partners and members of the team are; Pierre Swart (Engineer and Founding Member), Phil Conradie (Engineer), Ben Lochner (Engineer) en Koos Pieterse (CA). More exciting products are soon to appear under the Y brand.
Coming December it will be in Game, Toys R Us, Reggies and other stores and will be priced at R249. Father Christmas has given this cheeky new bike thumbs up for your tree this Christmas.
For more information and queries contact Jaco Kruger at jaco@ybike.co.za