The Concept
Materials & Components
The Basic Vehicle
The aim of the project is to develop a highly sustainable product, and every aspect of the vehicle is designed to mirror that. The following is a brief overview of the components that will make up my finished vehicle, and an explanation of why they were chosen:
Bamboo: The frame/chassis of the vehicle will be constructed using Bamboo poles to produce a strong, rigid frame. This relatively new method however has so far been kept only to the production of standard bicycle frames.
Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on the planet, making it a hugely sustainable material. 96% of the world’s bamboo supplies are from small indigenous sources, making it a benefit to small developing countries. It also has a tensile strength higher than that of steel.
Practical Applications
Solar Power: The roof of the vehicle will hold 1 70watt solar module, courtesy of one of my sponsors; DBK. These will charge batteries, which will store the energy captured so that it can be used to power the vehicle, when needed.
Bicycle Components: The design of my vehicle utilises the hugely versatile and well established components that are present in everyday bicycles.
The frame and overall shape of the vehicle, is of a design known as the 'Tadpole' Recumbent. This name is given due to the distinctive front-heavy look these trikes have.
This has allowed me to make use of the large amount of unwanted or waste bicycles & parts, in my area, and incorporate them into the overal sustainable element of my product, by reusing them. I have not purchased any new components for this element of the vehicle.
This design of trike is arguably the most efficient of all road-type designs, as it seats the rider in a position that allows for optimum use of the whole body when pedalling. Different to your standard mountain bike design, the user is seated. So instead of having energy wasted by the rider pushing themselves upwards whilst sat on the saddle, this type of trike allows for the user to push their body against the seat, ultimately conserving energy and effort, and allowing for a much more comfortable ride.
This makes for a product that is not only comfortable for the average user, but also provides a mode of transport that can easily cater for the surpringly large portion of the general public, who suffer from back pain and other spinal-related conditions.
The vehicle is mainly aimed at Gap-Year type students or travelers, who often chose to embrace backpacking & lightweight camping as a means of seeing an area, but the following is a brief overview of the wide range of other applications that the product could be adapted for use in:
Hub-Motor Technology: The power for my vehicle, will come from two sources; Pedal-power from the user, and the power collected by the solar modules and stored in batteries.
This power will go to drive the vehicle by means of a clever piece of relatively new technology, in the form of a lightweight specialist Hub Motor, built into the rear wheel. This is a highly efficient & easy to use technology, that has revolutionised bicycle travel.
- For individuals looking for a cheaper alternative to travelling by car or public transport
- Businesses looking for a unique way to advertise
- Organisations & their employees whose work include travelling around a large site
To see the actual physical components I have used in my design, in more detail, please take a look at the page
- Situations that require travel without the gaseous or sound pollution of other more traditional modes of transport
- For individuals who live or travel ‘off the beaten track’ (where there is no fuel etc)
