The design of cycle rickshaws has remained relatively unchanged for decades.

Inhuman stress levels are experienced when pedalling a cycle rickshaw with 2 passengers and luggage. But the rickshaw remains a commonly used mode of transport at the BOP level in large parts of India. The vehicle is pollution free and offers a relatively cheap mode of transportation, as well as employment, to lakhs of people. In the past, several attempts have been made to reduce pedalling effort by using motors and engines. These solutions have their drawbacks.

Cycle rickshaws are not manufactured by the professional, organised sector and hence, little or no attempt is made to improve the design and quality. It is possible to greatly reduce pedalling effort by optimising mechanical design. No artificial inputs like engines or motors. Pedalling effort can be reduced by as much as 60 per cent by improvements to the design of the pedals, tyres, hubs, etc. These design improvements, amounting to radical changes, can also be used in bicycles and tricycles for the handicapped. A human powered vehicle causes no air pollution whatsoever when in use. It provides a source of income for the owner, driver and individuals associated with the manufacturing, servicing, etc. No polluting fuel is required.

The goal is:

• To reduce driving fatigue and increase driving comfort
• To reduce the problem of air pollution
• To provide employment, and
• To reduce the cost of short distance transportation of passengers and lightweight goods.

The idea works on the principle of:

• Better wheel to ground reaction using redesigned tyres, which have a controlled footprint, for lower pedaling effort and greater freewheeling distance
• Energy saving, limited motion treadles in place of the conventional 360 degree rotating pedals
• Longer treadle length, hence greater leverage
• A tyre mould has been prepared and a few sample tyres moulded
• These tyres have a hardness gradient across their section. This ensures a controlled footprint under different road conditions, without transmitting vibration
• It will reduce peddling effort and has a profile that will enhance heat dissipation; it is also puncture proof
• It can be manufactured using recycled rubber - the manufacturing process itself is simpler than the conventional bicycle pneumatic tyre
• The tyres are undergoing tests at the Indian Rubber Manufacturer's Research Association
• These can be retrofitted on any rickshaw or bicycle and is a stand alone, commercially viable product
• Comfortable driving seat with backrest; distributing the forces of reaction across the ankle, knee, hip and back
• Factory assembled ball bearings in the hubs - for better performance - in place of the hand assembled ball assembly, and
• Non-centered gears in the drive train to allow for high starting torque and smooth, stepless transition to higher speeds.

These optimisations can change our perceptions about human powered vehicles. A vast commercial potential exists for such vehicles.

P K Pillai is an Instrumentation Engineer with 43 years experience in industrial design and development, in various fields - photographic equipment, switchgear, special purpose machines, battery operated wheelchairs, fire-fighting equipment, test equipment for testing components to various standards like IS, BS, U/L, FMVSS, etc. Established organisations in the engineering sector, interested in assessing the improved design and in prototyping and testing the design, may contact Pillai by mobile: 093243-65844. Email: hindcycles@gmail.com, pkpillai2000@yahoo.com