Designing a safe and comfortable Super-Pedelec for Spaac Motorized Bicycles

Bridging the gap between speed-pedelec and motorcycles

Master thesis (2018)

Authors

P.H. de Vries Industrial Design Engineering

Contributors

S. Silvester (supervisor 1)
Jurrit Hollands (coach)
Faculty
Industrial Design Engineering
Copyright: © 2018 Piet de Vries
Safety Comfort Pedelec Electric bicycle Speed-pedelec E-bike
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Published Date

29-08-2018

Language

English

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Faculty

Industrial Design Engineering

Abstract

The Dutch market has been seeing an growing interest in electric bicycles in recent years. While the trend was propelled by elderly wishing to use a bicycle longer, the e-bike market has shown the potential to loose its stigma and expand to people of other age-groups. The urban commuter as a target group demands for a faster and more attractive type of electric bicycle: from Pedelec (<25 km/h) to Speed-Pedelec (<45 km/h) to a bicycle that can keep up with other motorized vehicles: the Super-Pedelec (over 45km/h).

Spaac, a young Dutch company that designs, produces and sells motorized bicycles with a unique timeless appearance based on early 1900s motorcycles, wants to explore the possibilities to add a Super-Pedelec to their product line. The Spaac S7 is able to reach speeds up to 70 km/h which requires a re-evaluation of comfort and safety measures. While Super-Pedelecs are not allowed on Dutch roads yet, this thesis dives into the possible future of Super-Pedelecs and how their comfort and safety are assured and increased compared to the current pedelecs.

The final design for the Spaac S7 achieved this by revising the frame (stiffness, seating position), suspension, road holding, ergonomics, visibility and power.