We received so many awesome entries to our Pimp my Eco Ride Contest that we didn’t know where to start with the judging. Did we want to award the bike to the funniest entry? the most moving sob story? the best Photoshop job? In the end it was incredibly difficult to narrow it down to just one finalist, because there was so much good stuff! However after much debate, our editors, couldn’t help but be moved by green-builder Erika‘s heartfelt recounting of her recent recession misfortunes. Her move to a RV with her family merits a very specific need for lightweight, compact, and portable bicycle, and we think that they will put this Strida folding bike to great use! We also want to extend a special mention to runner-up Johnny Reflector, who wowed us with his incredibly detailed carbon footprint analysis and well-executed visuals.

We were so wowed with the creativity, craft, and persuasiveness of your submissions that we couldn’t possibly honor just one grand prize winner! As a result we’re giving away super-soft, eco-chic Inhabitat t-shirts to our three favorite runner-up entries:

Johnny Reflector conducted an in-depth carbon footprint analysis of his daily commute, showing us how a folding bicycle would enable him to reduce his carbon footprint by 16.416 pounds. His attention to detail and excellently executed visuals made his submission one of our favorite entries!

Bbonthebrink showed us a dizzying shot of the of the extent to which they went to lock up their bike outside a cramped apartment. Look out below!

Vorange4 regaled us with the harrowing tale of how their burro fell down a well, and as we all know, “wells are not the burros natural habitat”. We’re glad everything worked out well in the end!

We also want to extend honorable mentions to some of the more creative entries we received – from cycling sorcerers to bicycles standing several stories high we received some fantastic entries!

Heltrim1 and Richtotheie both shared with us their staggeringly tall bikes.

Ryan Carlson and Jrothinhabitat sought to charm us with their witchy wits.

We received two adorable entries from pairs of cycling couples. Congratulations to the recently wedded Boscobox and Torinobox, and we wish tandem riding Tonysidd and wife well in their travels abroad. Thanks to everyone for your fantastic submissions!

+ Pimp my Eco Ride Contest