I suppose there will be lots of motorbike entries?

David32, Thanks for your questions. The choice of model or drawing is entirely up to you. Whatever you feel would best represent your proposal and be of an acceptable quality. Check out the website for images of last years' entries to get an idea of what we have judged in the past. If you do sketches make sure that they, along with your written explaination explain how your design the theme. The best way to send your entry is to e-mail it or send a disk to the address listed on our site www.michelinchallengedesign.com. Hope that helps. Thanks again

Sven C. Why do you think we would get a lot of motorbike entries? I don't get the connection to our theme of "safety". Explain?

I was sarcastically referring to the fact that most motorcycles have little safety equipment whatsoever and a crash in which an auto driver would simply walk out of may cripple a motorbiker.

So there is really a greater need for some creative thinking to increase the safety of the biker. Now I'm hoping we DO get some entries that take this into consideration. The proposal doesn't have to be revolutionary. It can be something simple yet have a big influence on the overall safety of getting around on our roads.

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was sarcastically referring to the fact that most motorcycles have little safety equipment whatsoever and a crash in which an auto driver would simply walk out of may cripple a motorbiker.

Sven when you got told 'sarcasm is the lowest form of wit' what they were actually saying was 'sarcasm is the best kind of funny but you cant handle it and shouldnt try.'
Danger is inherent in riding a fast bike, almost one of its primary reasons to exist. A safety superbike is a contradiction in terms, both technically and aesthetically. That said, I like last years concept featuring a single flexible track, that was pretty slinky.

For those of you who are interested here's the "quick read version" of our Challenge: (Check out www.michelinchallengedesign.com for mare details)"Design a vehicle for the North American market (that would include Mexico and Canada) that enhances overall road safety, incorporating safety features for the occupants, but also for others who share the road. ( that would be autos, bicycles superbikes, vespa type bikes, trucks, BIG trucks . . . ) Designers should consider how their proposed vehicles interact with vehicles of other sizes and types to emphisize accident avoidance, occupant protection and pedestrian safety. These principle criteria must be balanced with consideration of commercial viablility (This is where a small dose of reality sets in) in terms of overall visual appeal of the vehicle. (That would be aesthetics) The designer should note any key technologies that enable safety and give a clear explaination of their function and how they will be integrated into the vehicle. (That would be the 100 or so written part of your entry) JANET - An approach to our challenge, then, could be to make superbike and safety NOT a contradiction. Better visabilty perhaps??

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JANET - An approach to our challenge, then, could be to make superbike and safety NOT a contradiction.

Why? People who ride bikes like the thrill. Like the Lamborghini/Ferrari off-roaders you trot out every year it might be possible, but that doesnt make it right.

Are we assuming that this superbiker is obeying the traffic laws?

I propose putting the occupants in a extreme thrill ride pod, that over plays the input of the driver, inside a very protective coccon. This then gives all the feelings of speed and dramatic driving all the while following the rules of the road. Then the government takes control, taxes endorphins, makes them all the same colour, limits the movement and roads you can drive on, and Bono pretends he's helping by writing a song about it, and speaking with the governments at fancy dinners about it.