A three-week design challenge took place May 21 - June 14, 2013. At the end of the challenge, Local Motors Community members from 17 countries had submitted a total of ninety (90) finished entries. After a comprehensive design review by the Local Motors team and a global community vote, the winning concept, the Ariel Cruiser by Ianis Vasilatos of Romania, was selected as the first community-designed gas-powered bicycle to be produced under the Local Motors brand. The Local Motors Cruiser will be available for purchase in the Shop at LocalMotors.com later this year.
"The Ariel Cruiser concept presented by Ianis was a compelling balance between the inspiration of vintage boardtrack racing presented in the challenge, and a look that was entirely its own,” said Jay Rogers, Local Motors Co-Founder and CEO. “Ianis' design is extreme, with an aggressive stance, totally custom engine covers, a signature tank shape and mounting style, low-slung handlebars and horizontal body layout totally reminiscent of the boardtrack racer heritage. When so many bicycle styles already exist, it is impressive to see a design that still can stand apart from the masses. It will be even more exciting to see it in physical form, ready for riding."
For his first place concept Ianis Vasilatos (aka vasilatos_ianis) from Romania, will be awarded a $2,000 cash prize and the first production Local Motors Cruiser.
“To design a motorized bicycle reminiscent of the early 1900s was a dream of mine that began a long time ago. And my passion for this era will never stop,” said Ianis Vasilatos. “All parts of my Ariel Cruiser design were intended to give a nod back to the history of boardtrack racing and early motorbicycles: the motor and engine covering, the fuel tank and straps that hold the tank, the other elements of leather and the seat are all very respectful to this history.”
images courtesy of http://localmotors.com/blog/post/nod-to-the-top-five-cruiser-designs/ found on http://www.carbodydesign.com/2013/07/lm-cruiser-bike-design-challenge-the-winners/ because something about my computer wouldn't pick up the photos on https://forge.localmotors.com/pages/project.php?cg=12060