TAIPEI CYCLE d&i awards 2017

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The results are in for the TAIPEI CYCLE d&i awards 2017, organised by TAITRA (Taiwan External Trade Development Council) and TBA (Taiwan Bicycle Association).

After close examination, intense discussion and careful evaluation, a total of 57 entries have convinced the jury panel and will take home the award. The seven most exceptional products are also recognised with a special honour, the TAIPEI CYCLE gold award. The special award, Gold Award – Young Enterprise, goes to one of the startup companies established after 1 January 2013.

Jury chairman Francois Liang said: “I saw many developing trends in this year’s entries. The industry is introducing more environmentally sustainable manufacturing methods and materials, which make the products even greener. Smart technology … is becoming more prevalent. The industry is undoubtedly paying more attention to the practice of user interface design to make cycling easier and more convenient.

“Electric bikes are now quickly growing in popularity, and a much wider range of electric bikes is presented to the jury this year, including e-racing bikes, e-mountain bikes and e-urban bikes. This is an advantage for all bike riders, especially for our ageing population. People are still able to enjoy riding with the help of technology when they age.”

Nearly 30 per cent of the participating products came from overseas, proving that the TAIPEI CYCLE d&i awards have developed into an international platform for the bicycle industry to showcase innovations.

The Jury

This year’s award-winning products were selected by Edward Chiang (Giant Bicycles, Taiwan), Francois Liang (Cycling & Health Tech Industry R&D Centre, Taiwan), Ken Hsieh (AOI Cycle, Taiwan), Mark Stocker (DDG, Taiwan), Moses Hu (VanMoof B.V., Taiwan), Norbert Haller (id Berlin, Germany) and Stephan Esser (SQLab, Germany), based on the following criteria: innovation and elaboration, functionality, aesthetics, responsibility and positioning.

An official ceremony to honour and celebrate all award winners will take place on 21 March 2017 during the award winner’s celebration party. All award-winning products will be exhibited at the Taipei Cycle Show from 22 to 25 March 2017, and will be featured in a special presentation at CosmoBike 2017 in Verona, Italy.

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