UMICH-BIKE

FUTURE URBAN BICYCLE
SAFETY SHOULD NEVER BE A LUXURY

Personal Project
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor MI
PENNY STAMPS School of Art & Design

Roles
Design Researcher, Lead Industrial Designer, Lead Prototype Fabricator

Deliverables
Digital | digital assets
Print | project booklet, project postcard
Product | functional prototype

Integrated custom head light and front rack.

Tail light housing prototype assembly (3D modeled and printed)

Integrated rear rack with custom tail light

CHALLENGE

1. Bicycle commuters face a consistent problem of being visible to motorists without added cost.
2. Current solutions for safety are 'premium' products unattainable to populations who would most benefit from reliable transportation.

SOLUTION

1. Create a bike which enables the rider to be visible and communicate intent to motorists in any situation (lighting, weather, etc).
2. Test manufacturability of built-in standard safety features using existing technology.

Bike: Lights Off

Bike: Head & Tail lights On

Bike: Turn SignalHandles Activated & Lights On

RESEARCH

Analyze Global to Local Variables of urban/city bike use
Gather historical functionality, current bike Trends and other bike related data to inform design intervention and needs

INSIGHTS

Various obstacles in Cyclist-Motorist environmental communication chain
2030 Local travel consists of short trips (<7 miles)
Manufacturability is possible,however, current socioeconomic barriers + social attitudes + stigmas = current barrier adoption for majority Michigan
Autos still viewed a necessity vs bicycle as a luxury/leisure item
Additional infrastructure & slow development barriers in Michigan

Source: Pedestrian and Bicycle Crash Analysis Tool (PBCAT)