Five engineering students received awards for their new motorcycle designs in a competition sponsored by La Verne-based California Scooter Company. The competition challenged students to design an environmentally-friendly, inexpensive and retro-stylish motorcycle.

“California Scooter Company wanted something innovative with a retro flair,” says Joe Berk, adjunct faculty in the College of Engineering and consultant to California Scooter Company. “The company wanted this to be a bike that targets younger riders, which is why Steve Seidner, California Scooter Company president and CEO, wanted to get input from younger people.”

First place and $1,500 went to Greg Fitch and Kevin Gutierrez, both engineering technology majors. Joel Walta, mechanical engineering, and Chasen Wendt, mechanical engineering, received second ($1,000) and third place ($500) awards.

Berk says the company plans to incorporate elements of the students’ designs into a new bike to be released in mid-2011.

Students received their awards at a dinner celebration. “Your efforts are recognized and appreciated, and this accomplishment is a significant milestone in your engineering careers,” Seidner said.

For more information about the California Scooter Company, visit www.californiascooterco.com.

(Photo: Engineering students Greg Fitch, Joel Walta and Chasen Wendt stand with a custom bike made by the California Scooter Company.)