My frustration has been building over the last few years, and today I am sharing it with the world.
About three times a week, I ride my bicycle, and many times I carry a lot of things with me (books, clothes, tapeware, groceries). About four years ago, I decided to invest on a Timbuk2 messenger bag. Not only I wanted to support local designers, but I also was inspired by seeing all the bicyclists in San Francisco sporting their Timbuk2s. Once I started using my cool messenger bag, I realized that it wasn’t made for my body. When carrying a lot of things and leaning on my bicycle, the strap that was supposed to go across my chest started pushing my breasts. It was painful. Since then I have tried to change my pose when riding my bicycle, put pads around the straps, and pull the straps every five minutes, but I am loosing patiente with it. And please dear Timbuk2kers do not take this wrong. I love your designs and support them fully, but I am not sure if you thought about women when designing this product. Trust me, I would be more than happy to go over your studios and help brainstorming on how we may develop more female friendly messenger/bicycle bags.
My messenger bag
Because I am a designer ,and I cannot just sit and cross my arms when facing a design problem, I have decided to see what would be possible for bag developers like Timbuk2 or The Norh Face or even Jansport to look at when designing a messenger biker bag for us women.
We women love tote bags and bags that can be carried on the shoulder.
Super functional tote bag
Many of us dislike pink and flowers, so please do not think that by simply changing the color of the backpacks you have made them for us. You must be aware that we have anatomical diferences.
Pink messenger bag for “women” … because it’s pink
We love soft materials and leather. We actually like earthy/natural tones.
Leather messenger bag that still needs to adress the issue of comfort when being used for bicycle riding.
We like bags that are thought out throughly for us, taking into consideration our needs, our anatomic challenges, our tastes, and our busy schedules.
Vera Bradley’s Barcelona backpack.
The thing is that, we probably don’t want to show up to girls happy hour with a backpack … that makes us feel too high school like.
I personally dream of a bag that doesn’t push my breasts …
Study of my current bicycle bag straps pushing my body
I also dream of a bag that can be multifunctional, and when needed, I can carry on one shoulder, and when riding my bicycle, can be carried on my back with the help of my chest … not my breasts.
Front solution for my dream messenger/bicycle bag
From tote to backpack … that is perfection!
And that hopefully uses reclaimed materias such as the beautiful bags from Cyclus Colombia .
Really cool design, made out of reclaimed rubber tires … that is what we like!
I can’t wait to get/develop the perfect messenger bag for women. If you want to team up or get some feedback, please feel free to contact me. It would be my pleasure!
Happy biking everyone!
a perspective of design 