FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN)—Eurobike announced the winners of the Eurobike Awards 2008 yesterday evening on the Fashion Show stage. This year's competition attracted a record 362 entries from 27 countries—up substantially from last year's 269 products. Altogether 66 products were chosen as award winners, with ten of these selected for Gold Awards for outstanding design performance.
An international panel of experts judged entries in a range of categories. New this year was the selection of one entry for the Green Award for environmental protection and sustainability. This went to the Jetstream hybrid e-bike from Riese & muller.
"The e-bike does consume energy—but compared to a car, it offers a real alternative,” the jury wrote in its notes. “The idea is to create an everyday object that will find broad acceptance. It is so interesting that it will get people onto bikes who normally wouldn't use a bike. It can be used to cover impressive distances stress-free as well as for shorter trips and provides comfortable mobility that makes life easier. In addition, it can make a significant contribution towards alleviating traffic problems in inner-city areas."
In the New Concepts category, seven of the 57 entries submitted by students were honored with the Eurobike Award Students Category.
The jury felt there were many innovative, functional solutions, but good design often seemed to be forgotten. Design was often interpreted as decoration, color or covering—not as an element to visualize innovation and function, two particularly important aspects for the bicycle industry.
According to the jury's notes, "A stronger focus should be placed on the number of traditional everyday bikes in the future, since the topic of "everyday mobility" now plays an increasingly important role in our lives. Where are all the lightweight, comfortable folding bikes that are easy to take along on buses, trams and trains?" Another topic on the minds of the jury members was safety, and in particular the dearth of high-quality, attractive bicycle helmets that adults would be happy to wear.
According to jury chairman, designer Nils Holger Moormann, one thing became very apparent during this year's competition: "If technology and design work together more closely in the future, this industry has excellent prospects and will achieve a great deal more than today."
All of the award-winning products are on display during Eurobike in the Foyer West.
The Ten Winners of the Eurobike Award Gold are:
Category: Bike equipment
Product: Custom-made Tria Saddle
Company: Gesellschaft fur Biomechanik Munster mbH
Category: Cruiser/Design bike
Product: Five Star, Singlespeed Bike with a Belt Drive
Company: FIXIE Inc.
Category: Clothing
Product: T3000 ULT Vista Jacket
Company: Jeantex Sportswear GmbH & Co. KG
Category: Bike equipment
Product: LockN'Roll, Keyless Theft Protection
Company: ZEFAL
Category: City bike
Product: City Speed
Company: Giant
Category: Bike equipment
Product: TP1, Pedal Cleat Tool
Company: Ergon
Category: Bike equipment
Product: SL120 Power Backup, Bicycle Light
Company: Reelight ApS
Category: City bike
Product: Bad Boy White Edition
Company: Cannondale
Category: Components
Product: Marta SL Magnesium, Disc Brakes
Company: MAGURA, Gustav Magenwirth GmbH & Co. KG
Category: Components
Product: NuVinci CVP, Infinitely Variable Smooth Hub
Company: Fallbrook Technologies, Inc.
—Tom Kavanagh
