Trike: design of a practical human powered vehicle

Abstract

Human powered vehicles powered by a single rider have reached speeds exceeding 100 km/h on level ground. Such vehicles are extremely aerodynamically efficient but are lacking in safety, maneuverability, visibility, ventilation and rider comfort. It has been the purpose of this Master's Degree Project to design a practical human powered vehicle, partly in response to the great accomplishments of these vehicles on the race track and partly in response to their failure on the city streets. Two full scale working prototypes were designed, constructed and tested. These led to a final design proposal which is presented in the form of a scale model. Recommendations have been made regarding further steps required for commercialization of the product.