Upon choosing a project path to go down, our group decided to solve an every day problem. We wanted our project to have an impact on the local community so we decided to focus on a bike related problem, as bicycles are very popular in Boulder Country and Colorado at large. Because of the harsh winters that Colorado routinely encounters, we decided to focus on improving bikes in the winter months. Some ideas we came up with included heated handlebars, automatic seat cover, studded tires, a windshield, and an insulated cup holder among other things. Eventually, it was decided our project would be to create a fully winterized bike that would significantly improve winter riding. Our winterized bike would combine studded tires, heated handlebars, and an automatic seat cover. This would address the significant problem of uncomfortable winter riding.
The main problem we are trying to tackle is that riding a bike outside during the winter months is at best uncomfortable and at worst, miserable. In Colorado and other states where the winter is less than pleasant, a winterized bike has an obvious application; to make winter riding more comfortable and safer. During the winter months ice can form on the road, which can impede riding. Cold air can keep riders off the road, while snow or rain can make the handlebars and seat wet. All of these conditions combined can make riding nearly impossible. Any bike riders in cold winter states would easily benefit from a winterized bike.
Our bike solves many of the problems created by bad winter weather. First and foremost, heated handlebars go a long way to improving the riders condition. Hands are often the first body part to get cold on a bike. By having heated handlebars, a bike rider can handle cold weather for a significantly longer time. The winter also brings increased precipitation in the forms of rain, sleet, or snow, which leads to a wet seat and uncomfortable riding. To combat this issue, we created an automatic seat cover to keep the seat dry and for convenience. Better yet, when the seat cover is not deployed, it can double as a carrier for small items. Finally, ice can prevent a significant hazard when riding in the winter. To get around this problem, we intend to stud the tires with screws so the riding can have traction when traveling over ice patches. As a safety precaution, tire guards will be put in so the rider will not hit the metal studs.
The first step in assembling our bike will be building a power supply compartment that will house the arduino, batteries, and wiring. This will be placed in the central fame and must be watertight but also must include enough space for our equipment. The most likely material to be used would be a light plastic. Once the power supply is in place, the other electrical components can be fashioned. Using heat strips or wiring around the handlebars will make the heated handlebars with the current acting as the heat source. By welding servomotors to the undercarriage of the seat, the seat cover can be made. These motors will then be used to rotate a plastic or aluminum cover over the seat by switch activation. Finally, screwing short screws through the inside of the tires will make the studded tires. As a safety precaution, tire guards will be used so the bike is rider is in no danger from the spiked tires.
To even attempt to successfully finish this project, our team needs to improve on multiple levels, first and foremost is arduino coding. In order to heat our handlebars and to activate our servomotor, the arduino must be used effectively and correctly. Coding workshops and online errata are a must. The second most necessary skill will be wiring. The winterized bike combines many electrical components each needing to be wired correctly so the devices work and the rider is kept safe. A final skill that must be learned/improved upon will be welding as the seat cover must be mounted securely to the seat. The main workshop that needs to be attended to achieve our goals will be the arduino workshops and any who can make it will attend as it is a skill the whole group lacks.