13th International Bicycle Design Competition Rides on Future of Micro Mobility

The 13th International Bicycle Design Competition (IBDC), hosted by the Department of Industrial Technology, under Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs, is not only an important overture to the Taipei International Cycle Show (Taipei Cycle), but also a savvy way to tap the world's brightest minds, newest ideas in bicycle design. With Taiwan-based bicycle makers like Giant, Merida being global leaders and the Taipei Cycle one of the premier events in the field as credentials to back Taiwan as a heavyweight in the bicycle sector, the 13th IBDC attracted 938 entries from 55 nations.

The IBDC is also the world's only design competition exclusively dedicated to bicycle design, clearly stating that the event is not a sidekick or extra to some main event, but one that seriously explores trendsetting bicycle designs that set milestones, open new mindsets, and perhaps significantly reinvent the wheel.

Soliciting bicycle designs worldwide yearly, this professional international design competition has not only introduced new concepts and thinking models, but is also valuable for the very nature of its format: bicycle designs hatched amid various nations, settings and applications presumably are influenced by local human, cultural factors. Global designers would benefit from seeing different takes on bicycle design from other parts of the world, being introduced to adaptations shaped by foreign lifestyles, preferences, and trends, a process that helps to enhance the global bicycle industry by making it more cosmopolitan and yet locally-sensitive.

Among this year's 20 finalists are designers from Taiwan, Mainland China, Romania, Colombia, India, Slovakia, and Germany, with the award winners being announced and honored during the ceremony on March 17, the opening day of the Taipei Cycle 2009.

With the main theme "the future of micro mobility" for the 2009 IBDC as backdrop, Chen Jan-nan, a senior juror, sums up in the following the four trends prevailing in the design entries, as well as the global bicycle market.

The first trend is lightweight. Bicycles are manually-powered tools that enable individual mobility, so a lighter bike means less mass has to be motivated and hence greater portability and easier pedaling.

The second is downsizing-when Alex Moulton from the U.K. first started selling his design of small-wheeled bicycles in 1962, the bicycle industry learnt that smaller may be better, becoming aware of a new design formula: minimize size to effectively enhance folding, storage without compromising riding comfort.

The third trend, according to Chen, is bicycle's newly-found role as the link between commuters and public transport. With global warming and heightened awareness for green trends and carbon reduction, global villagers realize that commuting via privately owned cars is no longer socially responsible and public transport is the better choice. Also with public transport not being a realistic door-to-door service, bicycles are the most feasible, green and affordable means to bridge the gaps between home, public transport and destination.

The fourth is public instead of private ownership. Simply put, making bicycle ownership public would effectively increase access to such tools, as well as willingness of potential riders and overall convenience, hence raising usage of bicycles.

Prizewinners

The following are the 13th IBDC prizewinners (including the top-three winners), some of them are expected to be also trend-setters.

Award: Grand Prize

Concept Name: ±X

Country: Taiwan, China.

Designer: Peng-Yueh Hsu etc.

The design"±X" made his way through the critical judges, and won himself the Grand Prize with NT$500,000 (US$15,151 at US$1: NT$33). The "±X" bike can be transformed into three different forms according to the needs of riders. This bike combines functionalities and recreational fun. The simple mechanism allows easy transformation without using any complicated tools.

Award: Second Prize / Giant Prize (sponsored by bicycle maker)

Concept Name: ANYTIME

Country: Taiwan

Designer: Larry Chen

The concept is a folding bike with a removable power assistant unit called "power pack." The external mounted power pack design integrates a motor, a control unit and, a battery. It allows users to remove and install with a quick-release mechanism. One can have the bike with power pack for daily commute, or without power pack for weekend exercise. The front and rear wheels are positioned paralleled to each other after fully folded, which also allows for towing the bike whilst walking. It is a commuting and exercise equipment perfect for people who live in big cities and don't have enough spaces at home.

Award: Third Prize

Concept Name: EVERGLIDE

Country: Australia

Designer: Frag Woodall

The bicycle itself can be folded down into an attached backpack, making it packable and still mobile. The integrated solution satisfies all kind of needs for short-distance cyclists. The second generation EVERGLIDE is improved from its first generation, and the diameter of the wheel is increased from 10 inches to 12 inches to make the riding more stable. The weight of the model is also being reduced to reduce the folding time.

Award: Excellent Prize / Merida Prize (sponsored by bike maker)

Concept Name: WinSolar

Country: Taiwan

Designer: Chun -Tung Chen, Kuoh-Siang Chen

The WinSolar is an intelligent green-powered bicycle. It stores electric ties transformed by wind energy, solar energy, shock energy and pedalling power collected during normal ridings. A spoiler covered with solar panel is affixed below the handles of the bike to produce a lifting force for lightening the overall weight load of the bike.

Award: Merit Prize

Concept Name: 1=2

Country: China

Designer: Zhi-Wu Yang

The "1＝2" is a bike that integrates the function of a shopping cart. The bike can be folded and transformed into a trolley. What's more, the process of the folding is simple and space saving is easily achieved after folding.

Award: Merit Prize

Concept Name: 24/7 City Pedelec

Country: Germany

Designer: Philipp Guenther

24/7 is a temporary vehicle for transit commuters and tourists in urban areas. The bike's design is customized for the special requirements of daily heavy duty and constant changing users. Most important aspects are high sustainability, low maintenance costs, individualization, and ergonomics. A compact and closed frame structure protects vulnerable parts and mechanisms from outer effects like weather, wear-out and vandalism.

Award: Merit Prize

Concept Name: A2Be

Country: Romania

Designer: Octavian Badescu

A2Be folding bicycle - to occupy less space compared to a conventional bike. This bicycle uses fewer parts, and thus it is easier and simpler to make. With this in mind, this concept is less cost demanding and more environmental friendly from a production point of view. This bicycle combines a new type of frame that folds in a very simple and intuitive way with a clean and practical design.

Award: Merit Prize

Concept Name: BAJK

Country: Slovakia

Designer: Barbora Tobolova

The folding bicycle is designed for the city use, it is a city bike. But it can also be used on nice village paths. The new folding system is created to give users an opportunity to store the bike in very small spaces like car boot, basement, train...etc. The target group for this design has no limits, everyone can use it. The materials used for most parts of the body are recycled plastic fibres, cardboards, and eco-friendly polish. The lighting is supported by high luminous LED-diodes.

Award: Merit Prize

Concept Name: DRESSING

Country: Taiwan

Designer: Cheng-Tsung Feng, Chi-Gu Chen

A new concept of "bike combines with clothes." People can change various "clothes" of the bike and then showed off its appearance, just like people dressing up for themselves. The "clothes" of the bike is easy to wash and can be put into washing machine for cleaning. The main concepts are: Bike combines with clothes; Bike wears clothes; Bike can match users' clothes; and Bike becomes a new fashion.

Award: Merit Prize

Concept Name: Family

Country: China

Designer: Rujun Sun

The design of the bike allows two different bikes to be combined together with a link system by taking down two wheels first. It has the convenience of a single bike as well as the fun of putting a tandem bike together. The "Family" is no longer just a transport tool, but is also a medium for bringing more fun and entertainment to family and friends.

Award: Merit Prize

Concept Name: Flexible Life

Country: China

Designer: Junjie Zhang etc.

This bike design is different from traditional bicycle frame. The design is based on three key points which people must hold onto when riding bikes. Therefore the transformable bicycle frame meets the demand of different riding positions in different situations. This product is suitable for male and female as well as the daily use for families.

Award: Merit Prize

Concept Name: Cycle Man

Country: Taiwan

Designer: Wei-Ping Chen

The "Cycle Man" is an electric bike that provides a folding function without compromising performance. The unibody construction of front light and frame creates a fashionable sense of smooth design. The bike weighs 15Kg and features an electric power standby to facilitate raising speed and uphill riding.

Award: Merit Prize

Concept Name: K.Balance

Country: China

Designer: Jintian Li

The "K Balance" is a city bike that integrates sport, fashion and life altogether. With its simple and foldable figuration, proportional wheel size and bodyweight, K Balance, just as its name suggests, keeps the balance between hustled and serenity of city.

Award: Merit Prize

Concept Name: LEGERITY

Country: China

Designer: Jason wan

『LEGERITY』is a folding bike that offers ergonomic comfort after being unfolded. It is also very easy to operate and suitable for people with different heights. There is a locking system after folding the bike. A push-pull handle is integrated onto the seat cushion to allow easy carrying.

Award: Merit Prize

Concept Name: LIGHT BIKE

Country: Taiwan

Designer: Chung-Bi Lee

LIGHT-BIKE is a light-weight folding bike featuring a frame structure which can be folded easily by rotating the rear part to the front. The streamlined design and simple operation make it suitable for female consumers. Hooks are added to the handle bar to allow greater convenience in shopping.

Award: Merit Prize

Concept Name: Metro Urban

Country: Thailand

Designer: Surasith Tiyavacharapong

The "Metro Urban" is simple and unique in appearance with a universal inverted frame design of modernity. It's light in weight, manoeuvrable, weather resistant, rugged, care free, and elegant. The sturdy frame, running gear, and small wheels all provide manoeuvrability in heavy traffic and narrow roadway. A basket is integrated into the collapsible design, which can carry the rider's belongings.

Award: Merit Prize

Concept Name: POD

Country: Taiwan

Designer: Chia-Ming Chu

"Pod" is a foldable compact bike, and the key feature is the shell design. Using the integrated strap inside the shell, the bike can be folded and appears just like a backpack. There are also integrated front and rear lights, which are basic safety equipment for riding in urban areas.

Award: Merit Prize

Concept Name: Stronger

Country: China

Designer: Li-Feng Yu etc.

The tyres of STRONGER are storage tanks for water. It is convenient for transporting water especially in Africa. STRONGER can also float when the storage tanks are empty, and be used as an entertainment sports on water.

Award: Merit Prize

Concept Name: Take It Easy

Country: Taiwan

Designer: Cheng-Tsung Feng, Bo-Jin Wang

"Take It Easy" is a convenient folding bicycle. It's different from the traditional folding bike, in that the refined folding process is simple and easy, and may be pulled away like a suitcase. It is also light, handy, convenient and effortless to carry.

Award: Merit Prize

Concept Name: TRIBO

Country: Colombia

Designer: Simon Paez

TRIBO is a design built to fit everyone with its adjustable elements, offering practical transportation and exercise functions. It features a supportive seat, a frame built to protect, and space for belongings with its basket. There is also a cover for protecting riders from rain, wind, mud, or debris; the TRIBO provides a safe, comfortable means of city transportation.

Award: Merit Prize

Concept Name: WALKER BIKE

Country: China

Designer: Xing-Yan Fang etc.

Walker Bike is a mini folding bike that can be the best substitute for walking, and is available with an easy folding mechanism. The change of direction is controlled by foot.