Design of a setup for experimental research on stability of a bicycle-rider system subject to large perturbations

Up to now, not much is known about how humans control bicycles, especially when subject to large perturbations. In order to learn more about the extent to which these perturbations can be handled, a new experimental setup is required, which can deliver large perturbations to cyclists and bring them to fall. This thesis describes the detailed...

Free-trajectory steady motion control optimisation for the descent of elite cyclists

Minimum-time optimisation has been used extensively in motorsports, such as Formula One racing. Using minimum-time optimisation, the ideal racing line as well as control strategies such as braking strategies can be found. This is interesting, as Reijne et al have shown that cyclists apply diverse strategies, specifically during a descent [1]....

Exploring bicycle braking during a descent

This exploration study focuses on the braking behaviour of World Tour cyclists during a descent. For this study, 8 riders descended over 6 trials using a ‘sensor bike’. As part of this particular study, a novel brake sensor is developed and validated in practice. The sensor package can be transferred between bicycles, allowing each rider to use...