The Oregon Manifest Constructor’s Design Challenge is taking place today and tomorrow in PDX. With the mission statement: “A competition to design and build the ultimate modern utility bike” the “constructors” are sure to come up with some wonderfully useful ideas. There are over 30 entrants, including student teams from Rhode Island School of Design, local and non-local bicycle shops, and independent builders. The bikes are on show today at PNCA (beer provided by Hopworks, just in case you were wondering) today, and tomorrow the bike builders will endure a 50+ mile field test from an undisclosed location back to Portland!
About the field test: The moment of truth! 40 entry bikes and the three Creative Collaboration bikes and riders will be whisked off to the field test start point 50+ miles from Portland, and make their way back to the finish line at Chris King Components Headquarters. Each bike and rider must complete the on-road/off-road course and pass through checkpoints where we’ll test mandatory features outlined in the design criteria. The Field Test requires riders to keep a brisk pace that will stress their bikes, and demands a well-crafted, expertly assembled rig in order to complete the route in good time. Our judges will be on the course, sizing up true functionality on the road.
Awesome! I look forward to checking out the design solutions for the emerging idea of the “utility” bicycle and shift from the title “cyclist” :
Why a utility bike?: The two-wheeled revolution won’t come on the saddle of a race bike or a specialty bike. The utility bike is the transportation mode of the future for millions of Americans who want to live healthier, more sustainable lives, but don’t think of themselves as “cyclists.” The key to realizing this future is thoughtful, innovative bike design that fills multiple needs and fits into their lives.
check out the oregon manifest website here
images via Think Out Loud:
