VAAST Bikes scoops sustainability award at FIT Sport Design Awards
VAAST Bikes’ flagship road bike, the R/1, has won a sustainability award at the inaugural FIT Sport Design Awards.
The R/1 triumphed in the “Sport Equipment Design – Sustainability” category, which recognizes products that… ‘with a sustainable vision to reduce the ecological footprint of sport on the environment.’
VAAST products currently include the performance bikes R/1 (Street), A/1 (All-Road/Gravel), U/1 (Urban), Y/1 (Youth) and E/1 (Urban eBike) . It is part of United Wheels, a global holding company of outdoor brands such as Huffy, Buzz E-Bikes, Niner Bikes, Batch Bicycles, Royce Union and VAAST.
Morten Kristiansen, General Manager at VAAST Bikes, said: “We are delighted that the R/1 has been recognized by a world-renowned jury as one of the most sustainable, advanced and environmentally friendly road bikes on the market.
“VAAST has always promoted responsible use of materials and the R/1’s Allite Super Magnesium frame is a shining example of that. Not only is magnesium recognized as the world’s greenest and most sustainable metal, it is also 100% recyclable, naturally dissolves without residue and has virtually unlimited natural reserves.
“Compared to other metals, it also requires less energy to form and machine, helping us deliver on our commitment to design higher-performing, more accessible, more sustainable and greener bikes.”
Astrid Hébert, Program Director of the FIT Sport Design Awards, said: “VAAST Bikes has once again shown how innovation, performance and sustainability can go hand in hand. With its 100% recyclable Allite Super Magnesium frame, its responsible production process that reduces energy consumption and its eco-friendly packaging – the R/1 by VAAST is remarkable.
“This is a well-deserved recognition for VAAST Bikes, recognizing their design vision and commitment to the environment.”
VAAST’s Allite Super Magnesium frames claim shock absorption properties and are reported to weigh 70% less than steel, 50% less than titanium and 33% less than aluminum. The frames are also said to be 56% stronger than titanium, 21% stronger than aluminum and 17% stronger than steel.
Before painting, the R/1 frames are treated with a plasma-electrolytic oxidation coating. This creates a hard, dense surface that is optimized to provide corrosion protection, wear resistance, improved hardness, strain tolerance, improved fatigue performance, and a better bonding surface for colors and effects.
The latest award marks VAAST’s fifth recognition in 12 months. His full-suspension urban e-bike, the E/1, triumphed in the International Design Awards in the Outdoor and Exercise Equipment – Bicycle and Bicycle Accessories category, in the ABC Awards in the Best of the Best Transportation category, in the Category Urban Design & Innovation Awards and in the category Excellent Product Design – Bicycles and E-Bikes at the German Design Award.
The FIT Sport Design Awards recognize the most innovative sports equipment and apparel in the industry from around the world, with no fewer than 45 categories represented and entries from 28 countries around the world.
www.vaastbikes.com
www.unitedwheels.com