international bicycle design competition 2014 winners

international bicycle design competition 2014 winners
‘HCL-pram’ by hong yin design studio, china – lei cao

each year, the international bike design competition (IBCD) makes a call out to creatives to submit their proposals and new solutions related to cycling–for both leisure and sport–asking participants to take into consideration such factors as cost-effectiveness, sustainable manufacturing, innovative use of materials and their designs’ relation to the grander urban context.

the IBCD announces the 2014 competition winners, which saw 497 concepts submitted (a total of 333 entries from 42 countries). the jury selected 22 winning projects (13 students and nine professional designers) from four different categories: bicycles, components, clothing and accessories, service and facilities.

here is a look at this year’s professional and student winners.

professional winners:

‘HCL-pram’ by hong yin design studio

the ‘HCL-pram’ by hong yin design studio, considers the physical transition from baby to child, by extracting the functions of a pram and merging it with a kid’s bicycle. the design responds to the demands of a child’s growth and ensures that all resources are effectively used, which ultimately reduces a family’s costs of raising a child.

the ‘growing kidzbike’ by pulse design, germany – matthias kolb
image © pulse design

the ‘growing kidzbike’ has been established for children that measure 115-155 cm in height. conceived by pulse design, it rolls on a 20″ and 24″ wheel–each of which are easily changeable with a quick release mechanism. made as a three-part ultramid injection moulded frame, the bicycle features drive and brake modes mounted onto the frame, a monolink fork and back swing, integrated steering system, slidable seat post, along with a computer and lights.

the ‘growing kidzbike’ by pulse design
image © pulse design

‘MC2 transforming bike’ by IDSG engineering & trading pte ltd., singapore – jing che

in our fast changing times, we are looking for products and devices that can quickly adapt to our needs. IDSG engineering & trading have come up with the ‘MC2 multi-configuration cycle’ which offers users flexibility. by integrating the benefits of a folding bike, with a recumbent one, ‘MC2’ functions on direct-wheel driving and can be modified into eight different modes via a transformation and lock system, giving cyclists more possibilities for a single design than could have previously been imagined.

‘MC2 transforming bike’ by IDSG engineering & trading pte ltd.

‘MORGAW saddle’ by MORGAW group s.r.o., slovakia – martin moravcik

the ‘MORGAW saddle’ is a seat with a supporting platform that is based on shock absorbers–a variety of them ranging in density from soft: 70kg; medium 70kg to 85kg; to hard: 85kg to 100 kg)–to accommodate the weight of the rider. designed by MORGAW group, the product seeks to improve riding comfort by protecting the spine and rails from damage. the ‘MORGAW saddle’ is customizable by a color kit that is available in ten different shades.

‘MORGAW saddle’ by MORGAW group s.r.o.

‘mag. vis’ by stilform, germany – alexander schmitke

stilform responds to the often impractical bicycle lamps available on the market that typically implement a customized support attachment (which requires users to carry the light itself around when the bike is locked up), and are easy to steal. some two-wheelers don’t even have enough space to accommodate one. to counteract these issues, the german company has developed ‘mag.vis’, a lighting system that is integrated into the hollow part of the handlebar–essentially making the grips the lamps themselves, with magnets used to hold them in place. the inner battery can be charged via USB cable.

‘mag. vis’ by stilform

student winners:

‘shelves lock’ by bin zhang of jiangnan university, china

the ‘shelves lock’ by bin zhang offers a combined lock and shelve combo which responds to cyclists’ carrying load and anti-theft needs. the jiangnan university student offers a more convenient and practical ‘lock and load’ option with this design.

‘shelves lock’ is a combined shelf and lock design offering practicality and convenience

‘illume’ by nikhil kapoor of DSK supinfocom, india

‘illume’ by nikhil kapoor of DSK supinfocom in india combines a very simple bike with advanced technology. the design is a solution to the difficulties one is faced with when riding in the dark. merging an indicator, brake and head lights, ‘illume’ offers a safer ride for users. the lighting system that is integrated into the frame is powered by a lithium-ion battery and an actuator that transforms kinetic energy to electrical energy. made from aluminium and carbon fiber, ‘illume’ provides complete suspension with a suitable form.

‘illume’ integrates an indicator, brake and head light system into its frame

‘city scooter’ by pei-chih deng 0f the national taipei university of technology, taiwan

the ‘city scooter’ is a scooter rental system that provides efficient transport, offering the public a positive alternative to dealing with bike traffic, while increasing urban mobility. designed by pei-chih deng of the national taipei university, ‘city scooter’ has been conceived for office workers, community residents and tourists to aid one with their navigation through the city with ease. the vehicle offers two types of usage: pedaling to store power accompanied by a prepaid top-up card; and / or deduction from a prepaid card to draw power that is already stored.

the foldable transport devices offer an alternative to biking

‘der wasserläufer by gerald peham of fachhochschule salzburg GmbH, austria

gerald peham of fachhochschule salzburg GmbH has conceived an aqua bike that runs off the principals of aquatic training, meant for holistic mobility exercises, with a focus on coordination, balance and strength. users are meant to sit on ‘der wasserläuffer’ and pedal through chest-high water on the design. their co-ordination and use of the equipment trains and stimulates muscles in a relaxed environment.

details of the aqua bike

‘bottle light’ by chu-wei chen of the national yunlin university of science and technology, taiwan

the ‘bottle light’ by chu-wei chen of the national yunlin university of science and technology combines a water bottle holder and LED lamp. with this design, chu-wei chen eliminates the need to carry an additional light, since the bottle itself acts as one. the benefit of this is that there is more luminosity projecting from the bottle than would be emitted from a regular point-like light. the ‘bottle light’ can be fixed on the handle or seat of your bicycle to increase nighttime safety.

the bottle itself becomes a light, emitting more brilliance than a normal point-like light

‘kick light’ by chuang chang jung of the national yunlin university of science and technology, taiwan

chuang chang jung’s ‘kick light’ is a lamp and kickstand hybrid which supports a bike as normal when parked, but which also provides luminosity, turning on automatically even if the user starts walking for biking. electricity to power the device is generated from kinetic energy produced through the rotation of wheels.

the jury panel for the 2014 international bike design competition included:

david perreault – guru bike, montreal, canada
edward chiang – giant bicycle, taichung, taiwan
michael steen – NIKE, taichung, taiwan
michael tseng – merida bikes, taichung, taiwan
norbert haller – IDberlin, berlin, germany
philip tsai – wistron corp., taipei, taiwan

the 22 winning projects will be officially presented at the taipei cycle show on march 5th, 2014 at the TWTC nangang exhibition hall.