Cycle through life

Abstract

This report presents the design process and the design proposal of a non-stigmatising stabilised bicycle designed for the bicycle company Beixo. With the trendy three wheel cargobike that has been designed for the problem of stability and stigma, insecure cyclists, including elderly, can cycle with confidence and stay mobile and independent. A literature study and user research using contextmapping methods were conducted to identify and understand the problem that this thesis deals with. Age-related disabilities, such as reduced balance and strength, can cause elderly people to fall with their bicycle. A fall often leads to injuries and fear of falling again. This feeling of insecurity causes many elderly to stop cycling, giving up an important part of their mobility. Assistive devices that help elderly to stay mobile, like tricycles, already exist, but these aids are perceived as stigmatising and are not easily accepted by users. Stigma is a negative judgmental reaction from bystanders to a person or person using a product caused by the visible characteristics of the person or product that are perceived as socially undesirable. This master thesis deals with the question if a bike can be designed such that it provides stability without being stigmatising. Existing research was used to find design strategies to deal with the problem of stability and stigma. The chosen design strategy included disguising the stabilizing function of the third wheel, adding additional benefits, making the design age independent and creating an association with an accepted product category. The design process consisted of design and research activities. The chosen design direction ‘cargo tricycle’ which has the potential to solve the problem of stability and of stigma was developed further into a concept and later the design proposal. The proposed design provides a solution to the problem of stability and stigma by creating a reference to cargo bikes. The bike has two front wheels in between which the cargo container is located. The bamboo container is compact and allows for easy loading of small cargo, for example groceries. The designed steering system steers the wheels around the container, allowing for light steering. The frame has a low entry and large adjustability to allow for an ergonomic cycling position for all users. The integrated shaft drive motor provides pedaling support, making cycling effortless. Its function and appearance could make this compact cargo bike suitable for many more target groups than elderly insecure cyclists, for example people who have never learned to cycle, ALS patients, people with reduced balance due to hearing impairment, people who wish to transport small loads, etc. To validate the design, a ‘looks-like-real’ working prototype was created. This prototype was showcased at the Embassy of Health during the Dutch Design Week 2018 where it received positive attention from visitors. The stability of the bike was tested by using it in everyday cycling situations in bicycle infrastructure. The subjective stability and stigma was tested with potential users, by letting them test ride the bike and asking about their experience. The design provides stability when cycling a straight path, but stability in turns can be improved. Potential users feel instable when taking turns and need to get used to the feeling of cycling on this bike. The bike is a tricycle and will never give the user the same cycling feeling as a bicycle. With a tricycle there is a trade-off between stability and a bike-like feeling. The opinion about stigma of the design differs between people. The reactions of the visitors of the Dutch Design Week were positive and indicated that avoiding stigma has been succeeded. However, not all the participants in the user evaluation agreed on this. Which product category the user compares the bike with when evaluating stigma is thought to influence the opinion about stigma and needs to be considered for the positioning of the product.