Summary
We have developed a bicycle with a electric steering motor that is capable of stabilizing itself at lower speeds than regular bicycles. When ridden this effect enhances the rider's balance at low speeds where falls often occur.
| Theme | Bicycle Engineering | Current Researchers | Stephen Lin, Dana van der Pol |
| Last Worked On | November 2025 | Past Researchers | Leila Alizadehsaravi, Marten Haitjema, Shannon van de Velde, Marco Reijne |
| Collaborators | Royal Dutch Gazelle, Bosch ebike Systems |
Description
A substantial number of falls while bicycling happen due to loss of balance and control at low speeds [1]. A normal bicycle is unstable at low speeds and requires acute attention from the rider to maintain balance. We have developed a bicycle with a steering motor that can steer itself and can stabilize itself at speeds as low as 6 km/h. When ridden, the steer motor assists the rider in balancing and staying upright. We are evaluating whether this bicycle can reduce the chances of falling in hazardous situations. Our first study shows that riders use less steering and have less rolling motions when the steering motor control is activated.
Journal Articles
- Leila Alizadehsaravi and Jason K. Moore, "Bicycle balance assist system reduces roll and steering motion for young and older bicyclists during real-life safety challenges," PeerJ, 2023, 10.7717/peerj.16206
Theses and Dissertations
- Marten Haitjema, "Estimating fall probability in cycling: Prediction of the effectiveness of a balance-assist bicycle in reducing falls," [Master of Science], 2023, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands
Preprints
- Marten T. Haitjema, Leila Alizadehsaravi, and Jason K. Moore, "Automatic Bicycle Balance Assistance Reduces Probability of Falling at Low Speeds When Subjected to Handlebar Perturbations," engrXiv, 2024, 10.31224/4003
- Leila Alizadehsaravi and Jason K. Moore, "Bicycle balance assist system reduces roll motion for young and old bicyclists during real-life safety challenges," engrXiv, 2023, 10.31224/2825
Articles In Preparation or Under Review
- Marten T. Haitjema, Leila Alizadehsaravi, and Jason K. Moore, "Automatic Bicycle Balance Assistance Reduces Probability of Falling at Low Speeds When Subjected to Handlebar Perturbations", 2024-10-09, Under Review at International Association of Traffic and Safety Sciences
Presentations
- Jason K. Moore, "Balance Assist Bicycle Reduces Undesired Motions and Fall Probability When Subjected to Disturbances," Imabari, Japan, 2024-11-06, [Oral]
- Jason K. Moore, "Comparison of Electromechanical Means of Stabilizing a Bicycle," The Hague, The Netherlands, 2023-11-16, [Presentation]
- Leila Alizadehsaravi, "Balance Assist Bicycle to Prevent Falls in Older Adults," Delft, The Netherlands, 2023-07-03, [Oral]
- Leila Alizadehsaravi and Jason K. Moore, "Balance Assist for Reducing Low Speed Falls," Utrecht, The Netherlands, 2023-06-27, [Demo]
- Leila Alizadehsaravi and Jason K. Moore, "The Effects of a Steer Assist System on Bicycle Postural Control in Real-Like Safety Challenges," Dutch Biomedical Engineering Conference: Egmond an Zee, 2023-01-26, [Poster]
- Leila Alizadehsaravi and Jason K. Moore, "The effects of a steer assist system on bicycle postural control in real-life safety challenges," International Cycling Safety Conference: Dresden, Germany, 2022-11-10, [Poster]
Media
- NTR Wetenschap, "Fietsen steeds onveiliger, kan de wetenschap de fiets weer in het zadel helpen?", 2025-02-12
Media
Dutch Science TV show "Focus" interviewed us about the bicycle:
Below are videos that demonstrate the bicycle's ability to stabilize itself:
Funding
This project is funded under the Citius Altius Sanius Perspectief grant from the NWO (Dutch Research Council) with financial and in-kind support from Royal Dutch Gazelle, Bosch eBike Systems, and SWOV.
References
| [1] | R.J. Davidse et al. Fietsongevallen van 50-plussers: karakteristieken en ongevalsscenario’s van enkelvoudige ongevallen en botsingen met overig langzaam verkeer. Dutch. 2014. |