Shay McGuinness is a mechanical engineer who has worked in construction, on consumer and medical goods, and product design. Shay has founded the company RydeForth to develop an innovative, adaptable, sustainable children’s bicycle. The bike, made from a modular kit, can start off as a push-toy for an 18-month old. It can then be transformed into a trike with pedals and, as the child learns to balance, a balance bike.
Made out of birch, the bike can be flat-packed, thereby making transportation and storage easier, while keeping the product’s carbon footprint low. There is even an option to add electric power. A pack consisting of a battery, motor and controller can be added to the bike’s chassis that will power the wheels.
Shay joined the Regional Talent Engines programme in 2022. He says: “The scheme is tailored to help people at the start of their entrepreneurial journey. It has given me access to a wealth of experts, training, and the facilities to carry out my company’s daily business. In addition, the grant has enabled me to purchase the necessary software and hardware to deliver the product.”
Shay sees the material choice, simple design, focused manufacturing, and ability to customise the bike as elements that will take children on a learning journey. The initial mechanical layouts and essential geometric workings of the RydeForth bike are in place. Now, the development of industrial design will support online platforms to help test the market’s readiness for his innovation.
