Arrow Plane

As part of a three-student team, I worked on designing a toy aimed at encouraging physical activity among children. Cycling, being one of the most important exercises for Dutch kids, was our focus. Young children often have an orange flag attached to their bikes for visibility, but as they grow older, these flags lose their appeal. Our goal was to create an upgrade to this flag that would be both engaging and motivating for children.

The result was the “Arrow Plane,” a toy airplane that attaches to the front axle of a child’s bicycle, based on the same mechanism as the safety flag. As children cycle, wind lifts the plane’s wings, and when they reach a speed of 12 km/h, the airplane “takes off,” gliding up the attached stick and simulating flight.

In the design process, we developed two versions: one for boys and another for girls, to ensure inclusivity. While the design had a bold, adventurous look primarily aimed at boys, we made sure it would be fun and appealing to all children, regardless of gender.

Throughout the project, we balanced product design, user experience, and hands-on testing to ensure both functionality and safety. From the concept phase to final prototypes, we focused on creating a simple, yet innovative product that transforms cycling into an exciting and imaginative adventure.

This project gave me the opportunity to apply both technical and creative skills, merging engineering with playful design to deliver a product that promotes outdoor activity and movement.