Master thesis, Louis-Pierre Geerinckx, 1171305 Bicycle Transportation Delft, May 2nd 2008. Delft University of Technology Faculty of Industrial Design Department of Industrial Design Engineering Chair: Ir. R. Wever Mentor: Ir. E.W. Thomassen External mentor: Ing. B. Vastbinder Company: Vrachtfiets 1 | Page 2 | Page Summery “The Vrachtkar is a foldable bicycle trailer” The Vrachtkar is designed for modern people who want to feel free to transport everything, practically, sustainable and independent. Carry your new furniture, beer crates, paint cans and even two big shopping bags. With the Vrachtkar there is no need to worry. It carries your purchases from door to door. With two clicks it folds or unfolds and thereby you are free to attach the Vrachtkar folded or folded to your bicycle. The Vrachtkar connects every bicycle with its unique Acknowledges lasso hitch without any pre-installations to your bicycle. The Vrachtkar is designed for you and your family. Many thanks to all who supported me. First of all, my mother who was an inspiration for this project. She cycled me when I was a child to every corner of the universe. I saw here daily effort with huge shopping bags. As a painter she carried dozens of brushes and tons of paint cans to her clients. She only needed a bicycle to carry tables, birthday parties, plants, soil, wood, mirrors or huge Christmas trees. Thanks to Onno Sminia who is a true college and a friend, and who worked so hard after his graduation project and during my final project weeks to accomplish a new Vrachtfiets prototype. Thanks to my mentor Erik Thomassen, chair Renee Wever, external mentor Boukje Vastbinder and previously mentor Joost Prinsen who guided me and waited patiently. Thanks to my friend Mariska Rooth who supported me with her cooking and who accompanied me during many Sneak Previews. Finally I want to thank my friend Tian Hoa Wu that we may stay brothers forever. 3 | Page 4 | Page “Why using the Vrachtkar?” 3) The Vrachtkar is designed to require a minimum of space. 1) The Vrachtkar is desinged to transport your groceries. What about using a cargo bike? Cargo With the Vrachtkar space is never a bikes can carry a lot of things, but problem. With just two clicks it folds in where do you leave these huge cargo a small package, ready to be attached Sometimes we all purchase just a With the Vrachtkar carrying two vehicles? You need a big bicycle on your bicycle or hanged on your little bit too much to cycle shopping bags is effortless. shelter or a nice neighbourhood for hallstand. conveniently parking it on the footpath. 2) The Vrachtkar is designed to transport difficult objects. 4) The Vrachtkar is designed for carrying your cargo every meter. Some items are just not meant to be cycled. The Vrachtkar is designed to However what would you do if you don’t have carry packages, beer crates and an alternative? even small furniture from the IKEA. Detach the Vrachtkar from your bicycle and walk the last meters between your bicycle and kitchen. 5 | Page 6 | Page _ .V`:H. @:`1RV1$JVR`Q```VVRQI8 Different family member can use the Vrachtkar effortlessly. (Not for children bicycles) 7) The Vrachtkar is designed to promote sustainability When travelling, people are going to a shop by twenty percent. Nearly all of these trips are within a very short distance. For dense urban area’s people travel nearly two kilometres to a shop, less dense areas take only three kilometres. Remarkably fifty percent of the Dutch customers use the car to carry their purchases. The bicycle is a fast and practical means, capable to carry loads up to one hundred fifty kilograms and a lot environmental friendlier. Stop using the car C1H@ .V`QCRVR`:H. @:` Q7Q%`1H7HCV:JR%V1 1.VJV0V`7Q%1:J 8 for shopping and we can save point four million tons CO2 annually. .V`:H. @:`1RV1$JVR`Q``:I1C7%V8 This report evaluates the design solution called the “Vrachtkar” as an alternative for car use. I]HQ`RCQQ]V`:H. @:`: :H.V Q7QG N:$V 8 | Page Contents 4.6 Bicycle bags ................................................................................................. 43 Summery ................................................................................................................. 4 4.7 Shopping bags ............................................................................................. 44 Contents .................................................................................................................. 9 4.8 Unique Selling points .................................................................................. 46 Chapter 1: Introduction ........................................................................................ 11 Chapter 5: Concept development ......................................................................... 48 Chapter 2: Main issue ........................................................................................... 12 5.1 Business model concepts ............................................................................ 48 2.1 Car trips at bicycle distances ....................................................................... 12 5.2 Structural layout ......................................................................................... 52 2.2 Reasons for car use ..................................................................................... 13 5.3 Embodiment ............................................................................................... 55 2.3 Reasons for bicycle use ............................................................................... 15 Chapter 6: Concept details ................................................................................... 59 Chapter 3: Problem Analyses ................................................................................ 19 6.1 Overview ..................................................................................................... 59 3.1 Maximum cargo weight .............................................................................. 19 6.2 Usage .......................................................................................................... 61 3.2 Strange shapes are difficult to transport .................................................... 21 6.3 Ergonomics ................................................................................................. 67 3.3 Bicycle carriers are difficult to shelter at urban areas ................................ 24 6.4 Technical details ......................................................................................... 71 3.4 Shopping is a heavy task ............................................................................. 25 6.5 Construction ............................................................................................... 76 3.5 Summery problem analysis ......................................................................... 26 6.6 Stability ....................................................................................................... 78 3.6 Target group ............................................................................................... 27 6.7 Assembly ..................................................................................................... 80 Chapter 4: Market analysis ................................................................................... 32 6.8 Production .................................................................................................. 83 4.1 Competitors overview ................................................................................ 32 6.9 Action plan .................................................................................................. 85 4.2 Cargo bikes .................................................................................................. 33 Conclusion ............................................................................................................. 86 4.3 Bicycle trailers ............................................................................................. 36 Bibliography .......................................................................................................... 87 4.4 Hand carts ................................................................................................... 37 4.5 Front carriers .............................................................................................. 39 9 | Page 10 | Page CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Chapter 2: Main issue People use their cars for shopping and when purchasing groceries; even when the distances are very limited (0-7,5 km) (1). One of the main reasons to use the car for short trips is the cargo load of the purchased items. Replacing all car trips used for shopping would save 0,4 million tons CO2 annually. See appendix table H.8. It is the opportunity for the Vrachtfiets Company to offer a new design to improve current situation. This chapter describes the main of car use versus bicycle use in further detail. 2.1 Car trips at bicycle distances Many trips done by a car could be replaced by a bicycle. The average distance per trip to a shop is within 3.0 km (3) and takes 10 percent of all civilian trips. 3.0 km is within perfect cycling range, because the distance of 7.5 kilometres is generally accepted as the maximum distance where cycling is still very comfortable. But surprisingly the bicycle is not the most used mode of transportation. Regarding supermarket customers, they travel for 52 percent by car, for 30 percent by bicycle, and for 17