Ukrainian studio Mukomelov has designed a bicycle shoulder strap that unrolls like a queue divider to connect the seat and handlebars for carrying bikes up hills or stairs (+ slideshow).

Mukomelov's Bike Lift and Carry can hold bicycles up to 31 kilograms, allowing cyclists to hoist their vehicle over their shoulder and free their hands.

"It allows you to carry your bike while having one (or even two!) hands free, which simplifies opening doors to your house or office and other manoeuvres," studio founder Aleksandr Mukomelov told Dezeen.

Using a steel mechanism, the strap unwinds like a queue divider from the cylindrical plastic case that bolts to the seat bar.

The woven fabric belt extends to the handlebars and is secured by rolling the strap around the metal. A plastic hook on the end of the strap latches back over the material to keep it in place.

The strap adjusts to accommodate for people of various heights and different bike sizes. A button on the side of the case can be used to lock the length in place and to automatically recoil the strap away when the rider is ready to cycle again.

The idea came from a Kiev resident who was tired of lifting his bike up the city's steps when cycling around.

"We were approached by Henry Teterin, who decided to launch a new product," said Mukomelov. "He loves cycling and constantly travels around the Ukrainian capital Kiev, which has many hills and stairs."

The device is available in a range of colour combinations for the strap and case.

Photography is by Vera Uznichenko.