Improving the Efficiency of the Bicycle

Overview

Bicycles, though they are over 100 years old, have had few improvements in recent history. When first invented, they inspired innovations such as pneumatic tires, wire spokes, ball bearings, and metal pipe as used in construction, but there has been little more in the way of invention to improve the efficiency of bikes, and too little focus directed towards the energy lost in braking. The goal of this project was to design and create a bicycle that harnesses the energy used in slowing down, as well as the excess energy produced when riding downhill to increase the efficiency of a standard bicycle. By improving the efficiency of the bicycle, the use of bicycles is encouraged, and thus, the use of automobiles discouraged. By discouraging the use of automobiles for short distance transport, greenhouse gas emissions will decrease. To complete the project, the student first designed the clutch system and the flywheel mounting system. Second, the student attached the entire system to the bicycle. Then, the student tested the bicycle with and without the flywheel, measuring distance traveled when completing ¼ of a pedal from a complete stop. This was completed 20 times using the spinning flywheel (accelerated prior to test) and 20 times without the use of the flywheel. Lastly, the student used a Google sheet to analyze the data, creating charts and graphs to show the results and illustrate the effectiveness of the system. Analysis of the data showed that the engineering goal was met, with the flywheel equipped bicycle travelling an average of 9.8 feet (2.99 meters) farther. Additionally, the p-value was calculated to be a mere 1.88498*10-10, meaning the probability of the results being by chance rather than being a true representation was less than 1.9*10-8%. Further studies may focus upon increasing the efficiency of the flywheel system, thereby increasing the effect upon efficiency without adding weight.

Competition history

• AJAS 2020 Category not listed

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