Track: Design and Analysis

Abstract

Sustainable transportation is an ideal system which simultaneously reduces the environmental impact caused by the mobilisation of people and maximises the efficiency of movements. Nowadays, bicycles represent an optimal solution in terms of sustainability and could make a significant difference for the environment, leading towards a brighter future. The Institute for Transportation & Development Policy (Itdp, 2015) states that CO2 emissions could be reduced by 11% before 2050, and without changing the frequency of usual urban movements, if only the number of cyclists increased by a considerable amount. In the last few years, foldable bicycles in particular, have substantially contributed to the rise and prevalence of bicycles as a major method of daily transport. As a result of their manageable size and convenient ability to fold into just a small occupying space, as well as the ease of transport, foldable bicycles have become a crucial link in the chain of innovative and sustainable transport. After conducting a detailed environmental assessment along with a through market analysis, and by strictly following the principles of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and Stylistic Design Engineering (SDE) we finally designed Mabroum. Mabroum is a new foldable bicycle which is ideal for moving around the city, safe and comfortable in its daily usage. Mabroum is light, versatile and extremely manageable thanks to its innovative and specifically designed folding system.