We are sitting on a bench near the Ocus bike stand. A discreet object that has become a new addition to the mmcité family of urban furniture and has also received the Red Dot Design Award 2026. We speak with its designer Iveta Krmíčková about why cycling infrastructure today needs a different approach, how a product that is almost invisible is created, and why even a small detail can shape public space.
Iveto, Ocus feels very minimalist and natural. How did the first idea come about?
From the beginning, I approached the stand differently. My aim was to challenge the stereotype that cycling infrastructure must be bulky and visually heavy.
We wanted to create an object that is almost invisible when empty, but fully confident and functional when a cyclist arrives. At the same time, we looked for a way for cities to create parking capacity even in narrow streets or busy sidewalks without creating pedestrian barriers.
Urban cycling is changing rapidly. How did you reflect that in the design?
A bicycle is no longer just transportation. For many people it represents identity and a lifestyle investment. My goal was to respond to that value.
Ocus was designed as a response to the need for safe and stable parking that treats bicycles with respect. It is a standalone element that adapts even to spatially complex locations where traditional racks don’t work well.
What was the biggest design challenge?
At mmcité we always try to balance visual purity with manufacturing possibilities. This is reflected in Ocus. The entire design is based on a single continuous bent steel tube. The proportions of its diameter and radii were essential.
Another key moment was the development of the horizontal brace, which strengthens the structure and also functions as a practical stop stabilizing the bike.
How is Ocus different from standard bike racks?
With standard racks, you often worry whether the bike will fall or whether sensitive parts will be scratched or damaged. With Ocus, we aimed to eliminate those issues. Its geometry intuitively guides the bike into position and stabilizes it without contact with spokes or components. Integrated stops also hold the bike in both directions, which is especially useful for heavier e‑bikes.
What is the ideal environment for Ocus?
We designed Ocus to fit naturally into different urban environments: office buildings, schools, cafés, or redesigned public spaces where detail matters.
It also works in historic streets or space-limited areas, where infrastructure must not feel heavy or obstructive.
The goal was a stand that does not dominate the space but becomes a natural part of it. You also designed the Rider stand and the Trot scooter stand. Is designing bike and scooter infrastructure different? Yes, significantly. Each vehicle has different geometry, stability, and locking needs. Scooters require more precise upper stabilization due to their height, but they are less space-demanding. Where a bike needs space for handlebars and pedals, multiple scooters can be parked in a tighter arrangement.
What do cities still underestimate?
Parking capacity and proper placement remain underestimated, as does the poor connectivity of cycling routes. Cyclists are often forced into unsafe intersections in city centers.
Your Ocus product won the Red Dot Award 2026. What does it mean?
It confirms that even a utilitarian product can carry strong design and innovation, and that detail shapes urban culture. Personally, it is a great honor and motivation – it is my first Red Dot Award.
