Bicycle as a way of life
Today's bicycle boom should not only be seen against the backdrop of a growing awareness of health, sustainability and environmental protection, but also embodies a lifestyle that favours flexibility, mobility, work-life balance, sport and also - influenced by the pandemic - safety. Whether fast or slow, with your own muscle power or with an electric motor, the bicycle offers possible solutions to the traffic and mobility problems of our cities. The bicycle is changing our leisure behaviour. No two bicycles are the same, because bicycles are not just everyday objects or the most widely used means of transport in the world, but also design and cult objects in which technology, function and aesthetics go hand in hand.
Bicycle - design and technological innovation
Bicycle design is closely linked to the history of technological innovations, be it drive systems, suspension, brakes, gears or other components. The material used with its special properties - from wood to iron, steel, aluminium, magnesium, titanium, plastic and carbon - plays a decisive role in frame construction, weight and aerodynamics, as do the manufacturing techniques used. They range from classic frame construction from tubes - joined together by welding, butt welding, soldering, screwing, plugging, gluing - or moulded or pressed metal or plastic frames to frames from the 3D printer.
The exhibition "The bicycle. Cult Object. Design Object" at the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich
The objects in the exhibition "The bicycle. Cult Object. Design object" are among the most unusual and exciting bicycles in the history of design. A historical gem among them is, for example, the "Hirondelle" safety wheel, model Superbe from 1890. An eye-catcher made mainly of wood comes from the Keim Edition from 2014, while a sleek randonneur was forged from aircraft aluminium in 1946. The Neue Sammlung - The Design Museum in the Pinakothek der Moderne is showing 67 other extraordinary models until 24 September 2024.
A bilingual catalogue has also been published to accompany the exhibition and is available in the museum shop.
- Opening hours: daily 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., closed on Mondays
- Further information: www.pinakothek-der-moderne.de
