The Design & Innovation Award is more than just an award. It’s the only award to feature comprehensive review, highlight potential and discuss the true value of innovation. The award team has once more invested more than 6,000 working hours to analyse the most exciting products of 2018 for you. Here we present to you the tourism concept that secured the coveted Design & Innovation Award.
Mountainbike Concept: Baiersbronn
The region of Baiersbronn in the Black Forest is an exemplary demonstration of how mountain biking can work in Baden Württemberg, a region with notoriously strict laws that prohibit mountain biking on trails less than 2 metre wide. However, Baiersbronn have recently established a unique approach to tourism that focuses on fostering the cohesion of all outdoor space and trail users. Hikers and mountain bikers will, at times, be on the same trails. The region has now incorporated more than 400 km of networked trails with 11 routes of varying difficulties for mountain bikers into the current trailscape, with up to 33% categorized as trails. Each route is meticulously sign-posted and its difficulty denoted visibly. Route decisions can be made using the region’s own app, which also provides navigation while out riding. The region caters for all abilities, and trail-loving riders with families will be spoilt for choice. For a region with such complex laws surrounding trail usage, Baiersbronn have taken a marked step forward for mountain biking tourism. An exemplary case, Baiersbronn are also demonstrating how tourist destinations can apply a thoroughly modern concept to attract new target markets.
More information: baiersbronn.de (German)
Bosch eBike Uphill Flow Trail
E-mountain bikes have revolutionised the industry! Not only are they bringing a breath of democracy to how mountain bikes are experienced, they’re also a major factor in how much fun one has on the climbs. Having recognised the potential, Bosch teamed up with trail building extraordinaire Diddie Schneider to create a world first with the eBike Uphill Flow Trail in Bike Park Geißkopf in Bischofsmais. With a mix of berms, flow sections and wooden features, this e-mountain bike-specific trail carves its way up 280 vertical metres on the mountainside. The result of deploying an e-bike’s power on this purpose-built trail lends itself to a new challenge and a new understanding of the term ‘fun’. Alongside the predominantly mellow main line, other trails branch off regularly to add optional technical elements for experienced riders. The Bosch eBike Uphill Flow Trail is the embodiment of what opportunities have been unleashed for trail riders thanks to e-mountain bikes. Bike parks and tourist destinations will face an ever growing demographic of performance-focused riders on e-mountain bikes in the coming years. And while it is not yet clear to what extent e-mountain bikes will replace lifts and shuttles, it is certain that the Bosch eBike Uphill Flow Trail is a concept for the future.
More information: bosch-ebike.com
Design & Innovation Award 2018 Special Issue
Find more information on the Design & Innovation Award 2018 and all awarded products in our special issue in the digital app format. Download the app for iOS or Android to read all articles on your tablet or smartphone.
The articles from the special issue will also be published gradually on the DI.A overview page, head to design-innovation-award.com to learn more about all awarded products.
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