3rd Shimano Cycling Concept Award

NUNSPEET, The Netherlands (October 21) - For the third year running, Shimano Europe is to organize the 'Shimano Cycling Concept Award', a pan-European search for the most innovative ways of getting more people on bikes, more often. The winner in 2002 was 'A bike for a month' from Pro Velo, a cycling advocacy group in Belgium. Its winning entry aimed to bolster efforts to make cycle commuting in Brussels much more of a habit than a whim. To be eligible for the Shimano Cycling Concept Award and to win the € 12,500 that Shimano is donating the Award winner, entrants have to be non-profit making organizations and the ideas must promote daily use of bicycles rather than competition or touring use. The award will go to a pro-cycling project, not a product. Ideas need to be submitted - in English - by 31st December 2002. The best entries from previous years have been those that set out action plans, show how and when the money will be spent, explain whether any extra funds will be needed or sought, list the total budget, and, critically, include an executive summary of no more than 500 words. The winning project will be one that has clear objectives and a timescale. "Organizations who wish to enter should come up with tightly focused projects that aim to increase the daily use of bicycles, making cycling more popular," said Frank Peiffer of Shimano Europe. "The projects should promote cycling to the public, especially current non-cyclists. There should be a strong element of education about bicycle use." Entrants can be small, independent organizations through to national bodies, European regions or even countries. The projects could focus on just one small area, or be pan-European in scope. As in the first two years of the 'Shimano Cycling Concept Award', the jury will consist of three journalists: Jack Oortwijn (Bike Europe, www.bike-eu.com), Carlton Reid (Bicycle Business, www.bikebiz.co.uk) and Michael Bollschweiler (Radmarkt, www.radmarkt.de) as well as Frank Peiffer of Shimano Europe. The winning entry - or entries - will be announced by 11th February 2003. Entries can be submitted at: Shimano Europe, Attn. Eduard Aguilera, Industrieweg 24, 8071 CT Nunspeet, The Netherlands. (JO)