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Photos: Spinning new ideas for bikes and trikes

A bicycle that folds into a special shirt is just one of the winners of the International Bicyle Design Competition.
By Bill Detwiler, Contributor
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judging

The 10th International Bicycle Design Competition handed out its latest awards at the 2006 Taipei International Cycle Show earlier this month. This year's winners included fold-up bicycles, bikes that communicate directly with their riders and several three-wheelers as well.

An international committee began the judging process last summer, reviewing computer designs. The 21 finalists were then required to build models for the final judging at the beginning of the year. Following are the winners.

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Trix

The grand prize winner was the Trix, a multifunctional tricycle from French designer Yves Plattard. It's designed for work, carrying a passenger or shopping.

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recumbent bike

At the Taipei International Cycle Show, bike makers also showed off new products that are currently in production. This 27-speed recumbent bicycle offers underseat steering, seat belts, a headrest, comfort seats and "good ventilation."

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motorized trike

Also in production is this Chinese motorized tricycle, which can hit speeds of about 14 mph and has a cruising range of about 45 miles.

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B-shirt

Back to the more fanciful designs, from this month's award ceremony. For those occasions when your hands are full and riding a bike isn't feasible, there's the B-shirt. The bicycle's frame and component are meant to be worn by its sometime rider, just like a jacket.

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Bikepack

One of the design winners was the Bikepack, a bicyle that's meant to be folded up knapsack-style. No more leaving your bike exposed for thieves and vandals.

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Skidscooter

The Skidscooter skateboard design is intended to work on both water and land. An electric-powered skateboard on land, the it can also be used as a surfboard with an electric motor.

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Bring your own seat

The third-prize winner was the New City Bike, from a Chinese designer--you can ride it, or put several together to form a park bench.

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growing up

Kids who love their tricycle can use it to learn to ride a bicycle. In theory, familiarity with the frame will help the tot balance--making the transition to two wheels easier.

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Growing bike

This bicycle can grow with kids. This design features three separate adjustment points which can extend its life from three to eight years.

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sandwich bike

Sandwich bikes just need a simple tool to assemble or disassemble--with all the parts fitting into a container.

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Mobile Barcelona

This design is for wheelchair users and their attendants.

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balance bike

This off-road tricycle is built for rider stability and safety. The handlebar is a stock absorber, which can helps maintain balance even over a rugged surface.

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folding bike

This bicycle would fold into a box.

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