Green Mobility Meets Award-Winning Technology:

Dahon’s New Urban Folding Bike and Folding Bicycle Helmet Win Eurobike iF Awards.

This year’s Eurobike iF Award Jury selected 77 prize winners from amongst more than 400 entries. From these 77 prize winners, the eight best products were singled out for GOLD Awards.

Gold iF Award: Dahon IOS XL

The Ios XL is Dahon's new urban folding bike. The jury described the Ios as a “perfect example of a stylish, functionally designed folding bike that meets the demands of urban mobility and flexibility.”

The Ios XL, is the flagship bike of a series of full-size folding bicycles by the US-based, global folding bike market leader, Dahon. It’s designed to meet the specific needs of urban commuters, folds down within seconds, but rides like a full-size bicycle. The range incorporates a wide array of Dahon’s latest patented technologies, including integrated lighting, bike pump, and a revolutionary dynamo-driven Phone/GPS/device charger.

“The Ios is a complete rethink about the needs of urban cyclists,” states Joakim Uimonen, Dahon Product Design Manager. “We threw out the constraints of standard bicycle frames and components, completely re-designing them where necessary. We came up with some radically new innovations that we feel are very important for the urban bike category.”

Ios bicycles have the geometry, riding position, and handling characteristics of a full-size bicycle. But the patented folding technology Dahon is known for allows the 24” wheeled bike to be folded in seconds to a size only slightly larger than the most compact 20” wheel folding bicycles. Urban riders who want a full-size bike but also need the convenience of a compact fold now have the best of both worlds with the Ios.

Gold iF Award: Dahon Pango Folding Helmet

Designed specifically for urban cyclists the Pango folds in seconds to half the volume of a standard helmet and features replaceable panels to optimize it for use in rain or cold conditions.

“Most cycling helmets used by urban riders are either based on performance racing helmets or skating helmets,” stated Joshua Hon, Dahon vice president. “We saw the need for a cycling helmet that addressed the specific needs of the urban cyclist. Urban cyclists are often on and off their bikes – getting coffee, stopping to chat with friends, or popping into a store for an errand – but what do they do with their helmets? They can either hang the helmet off their handlebars where it’s vulnerable to theft, clip the helmet to the outside of their bag where it dangles and catches on things, or simply walk around holding a sweaty helmet. But the Pango folds small enough to fit into just about any bag.”

The folding helmet also features replaceable panels on the top and rear that allow tuning for function or fashion. Riders heading out into the rain need only replace the perforated grid panel with the solid rain panel to help keep their heads dry. Multiple color options will be available.

The name Pango is derived from “pangolin,” an animal found in the jungles of Malaysia that has hard plates covering its back. When threatened, it rolls into a ball for protection.

The Pango helmet adjusts for head sizes between 55-61 cm and meets EN and CPSC safety requirements.

The Ios XL and the Pango helmet will be available in the Greek market from Spring 2010.