Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - BikeABS (Bicycle Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) for Cycling Industry)

Teaser

In recent years there have been substantial efforts made by both public and private organizations in attempts to enable higher standards of road safety. These campaigns have focused on a wide range of factors, including seat belts (usage, form and type), speed (warnings and...

Summary

In recent years there have been substantial efforts made by both public and private organizations in attempts to enable higher standards of road safety. These campaigns have focused on a wide range of factors, including seat belts (usage, form and type), speed (warnings and increased levels of control), and driver fatigue (roadside warnings etc), to name but a few. In addition to these campaigns, the majority of automotive companies have been continually and rigorously testing for ways to improve the safety for both road users and pedestrians, utilizing strict guidelines including Euro NCAP, striving to develop safer vehicles, utilizing roll cages, multiple airbags, driver assist devices (fatigue warnings, lane assist, blind spot monitoring etc). These developments have not exclusively been for cars, heavy goods vehicles and quadricycles, but have also included motorbikes. One example of this can be seen through the 2012 legislation passed by the European Commission outlining the mandatory fitting of ABS on all new motorcycles above 125cc that was implemented from 1 January 2016 .
These technical advancements and developments in increasing safety clearly demonstrate that there is a clear need and indeed precedent for two wheeled vehicles to follow. One such factor to consider is the critical importance of reliable and effective braking in both bicycles and electronic bikes (e-bikes: whose popularity has been continually growing and filling the gap between motorcycles and pedal bikes).
We are Vidrasoft, a company established in 2002, specializing in automotive electronics, automotive mechatronics and automotive informatics. To reflect this trend in two-wheeled transport safety we have developed a game changing hydraulic type of anti-lock braking system (ABS) for bicycle applications. The functionality of the prototype system has been verified on several real road surface conditions (such as dry and wet asphalt, gravel and dirt roads) in a relevant environment.

Work performed

The global objective of our feasibility study is to determine and reduce the risks related to the planned industrialization and the commercialization of BIKEABS and post-project exploitation of the results.
A successful product that satisfies the needs of bike users - We have assessed the technical and technological feasibility of the proposed final product, analysed the different user scenarios and determined the required performance and parameters.
European availability and beyond - We have composed an initial commercial strategy thanks to the increased visibility and networking opportunities in the bicycle related industry.
Tested solution – We have established solid connections with bike manufacturers in order to test our system in the next phase of the project.
Knowledge protected – It is our essential interest to utilise the findings of this document to protect our investment and concept.
Risks mitigated - We studied the potential risks that may influence the commercialisation of BIKEABS in order to mitigate them and minimalise the risk of this development.

Final results

The projected increase of bicycle users by 2020 in Europe and in the U.S.A. could lead double-digit growth in the cycling industry. This expected growth will have the knock on effect of vast increases in volume of two wheeled traffic on the road, leading to the likelihood of a much higher potential for cases of injury or risk. The latest European traffic safety report stated that bicycle fatalities made up 6.8% of the total number of road accidents in EU countries. Furthermore, out of the 4,192,000 people injured in road accidents that required hospitalization, 40% of them (or 1,676,000) where bicyclists .
Improvements to bike safety have indeed taken place over the last 20 years, with technological advancements to helmets, lighting, better visibility in clothing design and safer, more abundant cycle lanes being implemented to prevent injuries . We are, however, of the opinion that – like with automobiles- further advancements into creating a safer bike through technological advancements to the bike itself would prove to be invaluable.
The introduction of ABS onto bikes will result in shorter braking distances and will avoid the locking of wheels (uncontrolled skidding) in order to maintain stability while the bicycle remains controllable even during the most extreme braking manoeuvres. The system will also prevent rear wheel lift-off (from increased front brake pressure) which can often lead to rollover or pitch-over. It is, therefore, our objective to produce a widespread and affordable ABS solution for the cycling industry.
Our working system has proved to be extremely successful in several varying field tests and has garnered a lot of praise from several experts in the industry. We have produced an ABS system for bikes that is effective on different surfaces, improves safety, while maintaining the joy and freedom that cycling provides the user. We feel that this safety measure will assist riders, and perhaps encourage some riders back onto their bikes due to giving a more control and a more secure feeling on the bike.

Website & more info

More info: http://www.vidrasoft.hu.