in conclusion, as outside my bike would be stolen and a regular bike cannot fit (like fo’ serious, apartment is 8′ wide with a bed) this beautiful folding bike would be the punctuation to my words, the cream to my peaches, the rocketship to my fledging space exploration program.

[img]http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/b361f0dea5a61ad3b834205103a877f5.jpg[/img]

p.s. I tried to replace my original photo through the Wordpress admin but couldn’t get it too work .. and am thus late with this fairly redundant re-post.

I really need this pimped out bike so i can power through the city without the fumes

I just graduate from a great Art + Design school. Over 4 years I learned so much. But now, in a rough economy, I’m left only with my old art supplies to take me places. I attempted to assemble them into a bike….

…but it just doesn’t ride as smooth as a Strida!!

WHY I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY OWN FOLDING BIKE?

BECAUSE I TRY TO RENT A BIKE IN EVERY PLACE I ARRIVE
AND NOT EVERY CITY ALLOW ME TO DO THAT.

FOR ME THE ONLY WAY TO DISCOVER A CITY IS BY BIKE. LOOKING THINGS AT MY OWN SPEED.

LET ME UNFOLD A STRIDA BIKE AND SHOW THE WORLD A GOOD RIDE

THANKS FOR RIDING WITH ME
[img]http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/ef51d92c25c579ae48e4754eb3de6a9a.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/f05a211145218f33ae4498de23d553db.JPG[/img]

In college I rode a bike to campus everyday and loved the whole experience…with one exception. What always bothered me was my options for bag. Cute purses and tote bags , while they satisfied my need to look pulled together in a classroom, just don’t bode well with biking. Leaving only messenger bags and back packs reminiscent of backpacking tourists in Europe as the only functional options to tote all the necessary provisions.

Flash forward 2 years and 1,000 miles from home, I find myself combining my love of repurposing materials and fashion by creating bags and clutches designed specifically for bike commuters. Convertible bags that attach to either the bike or the rider that are not only practical for biking but also look like pulled together, classic bags when carried as normal. Cute bags that also prove to be secretly practical? I know, its unheard of for women’s fashion! Made from repurposed clothing and curtains, these bags are one of a kind and earth friendly, not to mention geared towards commuters who use only human power to get around, these bags are about good as it gets for sustainable fashion! I have had to start small and find myself in need a bike to get around and make contacts and sales as well as test out my products.

This bike could help me spread the word about my products more effectively and literally enable me to more effectively “peddle my wears” J

*Such a unique design couldn’t help draw attention that I could then channel into attention for the products I make and vice versa for such an amazing bike design. Getting to the nearest subway stop a mile from my house is hard enough without having to drag a bike up with me only to have to do battle with the exit gate. With a full size bike I doubt I’d make it.

*The compact design and ease of portability make it super easy to transition from sidewalk to subway to store front in a snap!

*Scratch store front-this bike is small enough that I can do in store demonstrations!

*I’m puny and weak and can’t easily lift full size bikes, and with my new small business, I need every bit of help to appear graceful and confident, this strida bike would certainly make me look more confident when I go meet with shop owners.

Most importantly, doing all this for bikers without my own bike makes me feel like an imposter! My fiancé’s bike is too big for me, so I had a hard time testing out my bags in real life conditions, my fiancé hasn’t exactly been enthusiastic about being my guinea pig. Getting a man to wear test a velveteen tote bag is like pulling teeth…

If I won this bike I could test my bags myself and be better able to correct fit issues and design more practically from personal experience. I work 60 hours a week designing things for a company I don’t agree with and whatever time left working on my bags. I think fashion design generally gets a bad rap, but I want to prove that my talents can be used to create a more sustainable future. It is going to take a lot, but this bike might be what helps get the ball rolling for me, so that hopefully one day, my sustainable designs can be my job instead of just a hobby.

And while nothing can guarantee this venture will be a successful journey, this bike could make the ride a little smoother.

[img]http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/0a1ea0dce8b5f018441de0979be35719.jpg[/img]

I need this bike because mine recently got stolen and it was my only source of transportation other than public trans, which is getting costly in Chicago. The picture attached is not mine, but the same scenario happened to me. I am college student and don’t have the money to invest in a new bicycle and would love this bike! I am studying architecture at the University of Illinois and plan to minor in enviornmental studies. In the future i want to build LEEDS certified buildings!

I do not have a license because they never offered drivers education at my school and I was too lazy to take it outside of school. What was once the fruit of my laziness is now more of a goal for me. I want to be an example to people that a license is not needed to function in todays world. Eventually I will get my license because it is good to have, but that will be in the future. I need a folding bike so that I can take it on the train for the longer travels. It would also be great for my apartment next year at school. Its a very small apartment. I dont like to put my bike outside because it gets rusty (like my last one did). I assure you that this bike would be put to use on a daily basis!

Hello InHabitat friends and readers!

Being able to participate just this late showed me that all of you deserve this amazing bike.
Just wish Areaware and InHabitat could sponsor some more Stridas to the amazing posts I’ve read!

Anyway, even though everyone has a strong reason, I humbly believe I’m the most desperate needer :)
Why is that? Because I’m 32 years old and I’m still single!

The truth is that I’ve ignored my look a little bit… I’m chubby and girls like mainly sexy guys, right?!
So, I’ve figured it out! I’m going to become the sexiest guy in the neighbourhood with the help of the sexiest bike in the world!!
Is there a better way to get fit but in this beautiful wheels?

I have to say I’m not a guy who had a lot of bikes…
I remember having just a couple when I was a Kid so, this will be a major change in my life and I can’t wait for it!
Leaving the car at home and comutting by public transportation and Strida! :D

So, i’m declaring to the world: If I’m lucky enough to win over this tough competition, I’ll create imediately a blog dedicated to keep you posted of my daily travels with Strida and fitness acomplishments.
Of course, you’re all invited to visit Lisbon at Portugal for my marriage :D

Thank you all so much for this oportunity and good luck everyone!

and as you can see, it no longer works:(
[img]http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/5e99a958b8f34c00a7d40749a7abb00c.JPG[/img]

im kidding, but i would like to stop polluting

I little over a week ago I broke my foot skateboarding and even though the bruises are fading, I’m thinking bicycling to work would be safer!
It might not be as portable as a skateboard, but this bike would be easy for me to handle up and down my fourth floor walk up, easy to carry on the train and it would feel so good riding to my job at a really great messenger bag company. I’d proudly put it on display there because its such a great looking bike!