BENEFICIAL BIKE SUCCESS

Hello everyone! For this unit in Design & Engineering, we focused on wheels and motion. Specifically, how wheels, motion, and weight distribution of the rider all work together to operate a bicycle. For this Action Project, we were asked to assist a cyclist named Ko a Taiwanese native who loves to cycle. Taiwan is an extremely bike-friendly city but, the city's high rates of theft can make cycling a dangerous pastime. In designing Ko's bike, we considered the region, available resources, and terrain. Therefore our objective was to make a practical bicycle that allowed Ko to remain safe and secure while cycling. Ko's daily cycling routine consists of commuting to and from school and picking up groceries at night for her family. To help Ko, complete her daily tasks my partner and I decided to add a few cool features like a basket, several lights, and reflectors to her bicycle but, we primarily focused on her safety. Although Ko loved to cycle, her bike design was not built to simply look cool. We designed Ko's bicycle to withstand the elements, maintain speed, and meet her specific needs. Understanding the terrain and the rider's skill level were key factors in our design. We made a 3D model of our sketch which is both shown in our slideshow below.

Our field experiences at Earth Rider and Working Bikes gave me better insight into understanding the needs of cyclists. It is vital that all cyclists feel comfortable while riding and that the bicycle meets the needs of the rider. Like the bicycles at Earth Rider, our bike design for Ko met her needs while allowing her to enjoy her riding experience. During our field experience at Earth Rider, I could see that most of the bicycles were well equipped to handle the flat terrain of Chicago and support various weights of riders. Although, gadgets like baskets and reflectors do enhance the rider's functionality they are not as important as safety and comfort level. At Working Bikes, I was inspired by their deep understanding of bicycle transportation in developing countries. I also learned that bicycling is the only form of transportation in certain villages in Panama and townships in Ghana. This just reinforced the importance of meeting the needs of specific cyclists according to their region. The insight I gained from visiting Working Bikes and Earth Rider inspired me to create a uniquely practical yet thoughtful bike for Ko because I have a better understanding of her needs.