Here at Flavorwire, we’re loving the surge of spring-like weather, and plan to take full advantage of morning bike rides free of wind burn and chapped knuckles. And while our bicycles hail from Mom’s garage circa 1984, we can’t help but drool over the winning designs from this year’s International Bicycle Design Competition. Organized by the Cycling and Health Center of Taipei, the competition has featured 10,372 designers from 86 countries over the past 14 years. This year’s winner, Taiwanese Hsi Huang, beat out 719 other contestants and took home a cash prize of $15,745 for his Shopping Bike — a bicycle that can transform into a shopping cart. Check out some of the IBDC designs from their Flickr page after the jump, and try not to poke fun at our rusty chains.
Huang’s Gold-Award bicycle folds into a totable shopping cart, and the 23-year-old designer hopes it will become an addition to every woman’s lifestyle:
“In recent years, there have been many small foldable bicycles that look quite sporty or neutral, but I wanted to create a foldable bike especially for women. When they go to markets or the office, women can put things in the basket installed at the back of my work.” -Huang
Indian designer, Neil Foley’s bicycle “Spine,” changes according to the riders needs.
American Eric Stoddard’s Autovelo relies on a motor and battery, so cyclists may find themselves having less of a workout and more of a joyride. The bike also features adjustable seat height, hand and foot positions, and a back angle.
Kim Sang-Hyuck, Kim Na-Rae and Nam Hyuck-Joo of South Korea designed this RESC U Bicycle for emergency situations. Unfolding into a stretcher, the bike saves time and can maneuver through tight spaces easier than an ambulance.
The Bi-Tricycle goes from bike to trike in no time, creating a large storage platform.
This retro Oneybike combines the looks of a high wheeler and recumbent bike.
So this is weird. The steering on the Tango occurs around 2 pivot points so that the bike can twist completely. Created by Americans Noh Woong Sub, Paek Seung Hwan and Lee Seung Me.
As cool as Columbia-born Samuel Cortes Mora’s TRICI is, we still don’t think we’d tow away our kids in the “frontal cockpit” designed for children between 20-40 pounds and 55-75 cm. tall. At least not “without any concern.”
The Essence bike, created by Brazilian designer Paulo Roberto Fernandes de Oliveira, can be folded up completely flat – similar to a Swiss Army Knife.
Finish designer Arttu-Matti Immonen’s TakeOn is both ergonomic and green, with a frame made of bamboo with metal.
What do you think of these award winners? Sound off in the comments below.