1st Time A Folding Bike Wins
by Larry Lagarde

This past Tuesday at the opening of CeBit (one of the world's largest trade fairs), iF International Forum Design GmbH (iF) awarded the coveted iF Gold Award for Leisure & Lifestyle products to the MODE, the innovative full size bicycle that folds effortlessly in 3 seconds. Over the 55 years that the product design awards have been conducted, the MODE is the first folding bike to ever receive this prestigious award.

Accepting the iF gold trophy on behalf of Pacific Cycles (maker of the MODE folding bike) was Mark Sanders, the MODE's inventor and creator. Mark spoke to the audience of fellow designers and international media regarding the unique focus that Pacific Cycles' Integrated Folding MODE bicycle achieves.

Why The MODE Won
The clean and striking MODE is aimed at commuters that may not have considered cycling as a viable transportation option. MODE avoids the pitfalls of traditional bikes - high maintenance, befuddling gearing choices and awkward storage size. The result is a bike that's more inviting to own and operate as real world transportation.

How It Works
MODE features Pacific's IF (Integrated Folding) technology that offers a single-action, automatic fold that requires no tools or removal of parts. IF technology is based on a patented 3-dimensional 4-Bar linkage that automatically guides the wheels together when folding. Once folded, MODE rolls along in a convenient wheelable package.

About Pacific Cycles, Inc.
Pacific Cycles is a leading producer of bicycles for well known brands worldwide. Riding a bike is one of the most effective and immediate solutions for improving health, the environment and the economy. Multi-MODE transportation is one realistic step Pacific can take to ensure a better future for our planet.

About the iF Product Design Awards
The iF Product Design Award is presented annually by international Forum (iF) Design in Hannover, Germany. With a history dating back to 1953, it is one of the world's most prestigious design awards. Consumer products from all over the world compete for awards in 16 categories, including leisure and lifestyle, lighting, consumer electronics and interior design.

This year, 2,808 products from 39 countries competed for an iF award. Of the 802 products labeled for excellent designs, the 50 that scored highest in shape, performance, creativity, safety, environmental friendliness were honored with a GOLD award at the annual awards ceremony, held in Hannover on March 3. All winning products will be on public display in a large exhibition area at Hannover's exhibition grounds thru August.

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