Some effects of crosswind on the lateral dynamics of a bicycle

The bicycle, being unstable at low speed and marginally stable at high speed, is sensitive to lateral perturbations. One of the major lateral perturbations is crosswind, which can lead to accidents and fatalities. Here we investigate the effect of crosswind on the lateral dynamics and control of the bicycle in a wide range of forward speeds and...

Design and implementation of a steer-by-wire bicycle

Since the 1800s, the design of bicycles involves a mechanical linkage between the handlebar and the fork assembly. Herein, we propose an innovation, where the traditional mechanical connection between the handlebar and fork is decoupled and replaced with sensors, servomo-tors and a microcontroller allowing artificial manipulation of the bicycle...

Balance and control of a rear-wheel steered speed-record recumbent bicycle

The goal of the Human Power Team from the TU Delft and the Free University of Amsterdam is to break the world speed record in unpaced cycling (Sam Whittingham, 133.28 km/h). The design of such a faired recumbent bicycle is a challenge. The Delft design, called VeloX (Human Power Team (2013)), is a fully-faired monocoque front-driven recumbent...