Needham Bikes
Needham Bikes, an organization dedicated to the safe and widespread use of bicycles for transportation and recreation in Needham, Massachusetts, recently contacted Weymouth Design. The organization’s needs were twofold: a logo and a design for use on signs. Needham Bikes came to the right firm for the job. We’ve done pro bono work for Cycle Kids for five years, and we have many avid cyclists on our staff.
The logo needed to be a compact way to brand Needham Bikes. The sign needed to indicate to motorists and bicyclists that the road was recommended for bicycles, remind motorists to be attentive to bicyclists, create awareness of Needham Bikes, and develop the sense of Needham as a bike-friendly community.
Creative Director Robert Krivicich and designers Gary Pikovsky and Aaron Scott jumped at the challenge. The team created several versions of a logo and sign, three or four of which were presented at a Needham town meeting, where Aaron’s design was selected. Robert thinks Aaron’s design stood out in part because “it was not just a generic share the road sign. It’s something that belongs and would only work with a name like Needham.”
Aaron, our resident tri-athlete, and Gary cycle to and from work almost daily. Robert is also a dedicated cyclist who participates in races. Our team’s familiarity with the sport of biking, including the challenges faced by cyclists sharing the road with motorists, gave them an edge on this project. They knew what would stand out on the road.
Bill Pryor of Needham Bikes told us he was “thrilled with the result”. Here’s what else he had to say about Weymouth Design’s work:
The logo was chosen for a few reasons. First, it seemed flexible in its potential usage. We could use the icon with or without the word Needham, and there seemed to be multiple treatments that looked good. The cyclist icon itself was simple, elegant, and clever…Because we wanted to use the phrase “Needham Bikes” as a verb it was important to have something usable with those words. This logo fit that need nicely. Finally, it seemed like something that would be the most visible, memorable, and striking on the road.
The logo has already been used in marking a monthly Family Fun Ride for Needham, as well as in the monthly e-newsletter and on the Needham Bikes website. The organization plans to use variations of the logo on brochures, stickers, banners, lawn signs, at various events, and ultimately on tee shirts, clothing, and other items.
For more information about Needham Bikes, please visit their website.
