Open Innovation Challenge to Design a New Kind of Bike
Calling all petrol heads and bike enthusiasts there’s still a few days left to enter Local Motors’ latest open innovation challenge – to design a motorized bike – the LM Cruiser.
The company is looking for concepts for a gas-powered motorized bicycle. It should have retro design elements but use modern technology.
Local Motors prides itself on connecting designers, engineers, and enthusiasts to ideate, design and manufacture innovative vehicle solutions.
Part of the challenge description reads: “By using a nostalgic platform (a traditional pedal bike) to meet a new need (a transportation alternative that is efficient, affordable, and environmentally responsible), power-assisted bikes connect the customer with the past in a decidedly modern way.”
Requirements
Among the vehicle requirements are:
- Honda 48cc 4-stroke engine (GXH 5.0)
- Schwalbe Kojak 26 inch or similar fat tire (tires may be black, white, or other colors)
- Dual chain drive (one for pedals, one for motor)
For a full list of requirements click here.
To help steer participants in the right direction Local Motors has created an ‘ignition kit’ that includes images of bicycle components.
If you want to see some of the designs that have already been submitted click here.
Closing Date is Soon
The competition’s submission period ends on June 6th and the winners will be announced on June the 18th. There’s a $2,000 first prize as well as the first production LM Cruiser. There are also monetary prizes for 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place.
Local Motors’ previous crowdsourcing vehicle projects include a car built for desert drag racing and a Domino’s pizza delivery vehicle.
Reader Comments
Hello, Is it too late today to submit my motorized bicycle? which I have a working prototype thats tested and ready for production. it is a parameter frame design, you can pedal it with or with out the motor. you can shift all the bicycle type gears in the rear with or with out the motor. I had planes on a custom bigger gas tank to sit in the top front part of the parameter frame protected by the frame just like every thing else is protected in side of this parameter frame right now. if the rider falls or drops the bike every thing in side of the stronger parameter frame is protected. parameter frames are not new even though they are used on most high tech motorcycles today, they have been around since the early 1900's. this frame was design to have the look of the early vintage looking ones. it has a rigid rear triangle/hard tail and a front suspension fork. If its not too late please let and I will submit pictures and even a video of it working.
Thank You, Rodney Davidson
Posted by rodney davidson on June 12, 2013
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