The feature of these patterns is that they are designed for other people. Nobody would reasonably choose to live in a shipping container if they had better options, and most conventional options are objectively better. Shipping containers have been relatively successful (in comparison with other shipping container dwellings) for student housing - a typology which is traditionally among the most dismal an educated mid-social class person is likely to have experienced for a prolonged period of their life.
Likewise, a cardboard bicycle. There are many circumstances where it is probably preferable to no bicycle, but probably few circumstances where it would be preferable to a typical bicycle constructed in a conventional manner.
Over the long term, the cardboard bicycle is likely to be an increasingly less preferable option as the availablity repairs and the availability of replacement parts becomes a greater concern than initial cost. There's a huge standardized infrastructure of dimensions and components which make the use of bicycles more practical.
Even the FP-45 Liberator was ultimately deemed impractical for any purpose other than psychological warfare.
Likewise, a cardboard bicycle. There are many circumstances where it is probably preferable to no bicycle, but probably few circumstances where it would be preferable to a typical bicycle constructed in a conventional manner.
Over the long term, the cardboard bicycle is likely to be an increasingly less preferable option as the availablity repairs and the availability of replacement parts becomes a greater concern than initial cost. There's a huge standardized infrastructure of dimensions and components which make the use of bicycles more practical.
Even the FP-45 Liberator was ultimately deemed impractical for any purpose other than psychological warfare.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FP-45_Liberator