Balance Assist Bicycle for Fall Reduction

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
Last Worked On	October 2024	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 Publications

L. Alizadehsaravi and J. K. Moore, “Bicycle balance assist system reduces roll and steering motion for young and older bicyclists during real-life safety challenges,” PeerJ, vol. 11, p. e16206, Oct. 2023, https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16206.

Theses

M. Haitjema, "Estimating fall probability in cycling: Prediction of the effectiveness of a balance-assist bicycle in reducing falls," MSc, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands, 2023. https://repository.tudelft.nl/islandora/object/uuid%3Ab7a3ff8d-de2b-47ee-ac05-61c34c1eac23
S. van de Velde, “Design of a setup for experimental research on stability of a bicycle-rider system subject to large perturbations,” Msc, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands, 2022. https://repository.tudelft.nl/islandora/object/uuid%3A4571c00e-3bfc-4d9c-a46a-30a3b30b932a

Preprints

M. T. Haitjema, L. Alizadehsaravi, and J. K. Moore, “Automatic Bicycle Balance Assistance Reduces Probability of Falling at Low Speeds When Subjected to Handlebar Perturbations,” Oct. 09, 2024, engrXiv. https://doi.org/10.31224/4003.
L. Alizadehsarvi and J. K. Moore, "Bicycle balance assist system reduces roll motion for young and old bicyclists during real-life safety challenges", Feb. 2023. https://doi.org/10.31224/2825

Presentations

J. K. Moore, "Comparison of Electromechanical Means of Stabilizing a Bicycle," presented at the International Cycling Safety Conference, The Hague, The Netherlands, Nov. 16, 2023. https://tinyurl.com/icsc2023-moore
L. Alizadehsaravi and J. K. Moore, “The Effects of a Steer Assist System on Bicycle Postural Control in Real-Like Safety Challenges,” presented at the Dutch Biomedical Engineering Conference, Egmond an Zee, Jan. 26, 2023.
L. Alizadehsaravi and J. K. Moore, “The effects of a steer assist system on bicycle postural control in real-life safety challenges,” presented at the International Cycling Safety Conference, International Cycling Safety Conference: Dresden, Germany, Nov. 10, 2022.

Media

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.