Sustainability, E-Mobility, and Smart Tech
47 winning products and seven gold award winners of this year’s Taipei Cycle d&i awards were announced.
E-mobility, sustainability, gravel, and smart products are currently the biggest trends in the bicycle market. These themes were also at the forefront of this year’s Taipei Cycle d&i awards. The twelfth edition of the innovation prize featured 47 awarded products, with five products winning the prestigious Gold Award. Additionally, a Start-up Prize and a Green Prize were awarded.
“The world is changing. Accordingly, we must adapt our business models and products to these changes. We are, therefore, very pleased that we had an especially large number of high-quality participants in this year’s awards,” said Robert Wu, Chairman of the Taiwan Bicycle Association (TBA), during the award ceremony that took place yesterday afternoon. In total, more than 150 companies submitted products for consideration, with Wu noting significant international involvement. Uwe Cremering, CEO of iF Design, agreed with him: the submissions demonstrated the rapid development of the bicycle industry, he said. “The jury recognised the high level of innovation and awareness of sustainable materials and production,” he added.
Giant was delighted to receive a Gold Award. They unveiled a new gravel bike specifically for women, the Liv Devote Advanced Pro. Merida also received a Gold Award for its Silex gravel racer. Pedal specialist Wellgo was awarded a Gold Award for its Miniature Modular Pedal Power Meter – marking it as one of several companies recognised for smart innovations. Another example was provided by Strategic Sports with its CB005 Enduro Helmet. The helmet features integrated Quin sensors that capture ride telemetry and crash data, facilitating communication with first responders in an emergency. This earned it another Gold Award. Organix Concept also took home Gold with their rechargeable Proton Bike Light System. Sillykids was pleased to win the Start-up Award, presenting an E-Faz cargo bike equipped with a 20-inch fat tyre electric assist system.
However, the dominating theme of the d&i awards ceremony was sustainability. Vittoria succeeded in creating the Terreno Pro T60 Mixed, a bicycle tyre made from 92% renewable and recycled materials. Gregory Veerananda, Head of Sales and Marketing Asia-Pacific & Middle East, stated during the event: “The goal was to develop a tyre that is more sustainable but still delivers high performance in terms of comfort and speed. We are very pleased to have won this award. Sustainability is a key part of the bicycle industry moving forward.”All winning products are presented from March 6th to 9th at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center Hall 1 (Lobby area of Area J, 1F).