Compressed Air Assisted Bicycle: AirBike

Abstract

Electric bicycles are a popular transportation and commuting choice for urban environments. Unfortunately, the raw materials needed to produce the batteries powering these bikes are environmentally destructive to extract and unfairly exploit the communities in which they are mined. This project designed and built an alternative to the e-bike, without the environmental and humanitarian downsides, by storing energy in the form of compressed air. This novel design stores air inside the frame tubes of the bicycle, which is released into the air motor to produce forward motion when the cyclist presses a lever. The bike also has a regenerative braking system that recaptures energy through an onboard compressor, which pressurizes the air tank for later use. The tank can be refilled manually using this onboard compressor, or in a matter of seconds using a shop compressor. This first prototype is capable of providing ~50% of the required power to travel at 20mph for a duration of ~26 seconds. The report details the requisite next steps in producing a commercially viable product by presenting methods for weight reduction and increased assist duration. With further refinement, this product could prove to be the future of clean, efficient, and ethical assisted bicycle transportation.