E-bike design for commuters

Abstract

This report presents the research into e-bikes for commuters and the design process of a laptop bag carrier for commuters. The project was carried out for Royal Dutch Gazelle in Dieren.

The project started with the question: How to make electric bikes more attractive to commuters? In order to answer this research question a literature study, user research and market analysis was done, all focussed on the Dutch bicycle market. In order to get a good insight in the commuter's needs and wishes in depth interviews were held with e-bike owners.

The main conclusion from the research phase are that in order to make the e-bike more attractive e-bikes should be more reliable, have a unique design and offer more practicality and ease of use. Under practicality and ease of use issues as charging possibilities, bringing luggage, maintenance and theft prevention are considered. Based on these conclusion a descriptive domain for the solution direction was formulated: Worry-free modern commuting.

Within the domain of worry-free modern commuting the design direction was developed further. As target group young family (wo)men were chosen and as a retail strategy a lease construction was selected. Also it was decided that the design focus would be on bringing luggage. The bicycle type would be a normal e-bike and the design would be based on the Gazelle CityZen model family.

Based on the formulated design direction the idea generation phase was started and along the way more design choices were made. It was for example chosen to focus on bringing your own laptop bag, which would be mounted on a luggage solution at the front or at the rear of the bicycle. After these design decisions thirteen concept ideas were generated. From these concepts two similar rear concepts were selected to be worked out in more detail.

The two concepts, Horizontal bracket and the Diagonal support, both feature a construction were the laptop bag is mounted diagonally along the rear seat stay. This way the bag does not get in the way of the pedalling motion, but can still be placed very close to the centre of mass of the bike. Also it is automatically integrated in the lines of the bike, as it follows part of the bicycles frame. The two concepts were developed further using mock-ups and by modelling and sketching. Based on the second iteration in mock-ups the 'Diagonal support' concept was chosen to be worked out as the final design. The Diagonal support concept is chosen because it works well in terms of looks and position on the bike and it scores more positive on the mounting factor.

The final design was further developed by use of CAD-software and resulted in the Gazelle laptop carrier. This luggage solution boosts a foldable support structure were a laptop bag can be safely mounted on the bike. By means of a elastic mounting strap the bag is securely locked in place and by means of rubber shock absorption the laptop bag is protected from road impact. The Gazelle laptop carrier will be offered as an option on a new commuter lease bike and can be leased from 2,50 euro per month.