Such attributes, which help make Japanese buildings resistant to the region’s frequent earthquakes, are integral to Yasuda’s Moccle bicycle. A bent wood frame, made from plywood sheets sandwiching carbon fiber, is held in place with metal fixtures and absorbs shocks from bumps in the road.
“Moccle is a bicycle that you can easily ride in casual clothes. A simple design that anyone can ride without a complicated transmission,” Yasuda tells Yanko Design. “Just pedaling with your usual sneakers, you can spend a relaxing time at your favorite cafe. The bike’s simple design highlights its use case perfectly. It isn’t made for performance, or for terrain. The Moccle is a purely recreational two-wheeler designed to just enjoy life.”
Moccle debuted at Tokyo’s Wood Collection Show in January 2023 and won this year’s A’ Design Award.