The box tricycle is front-loaded which enabled the use of a standard drive chain independent of the load carrier. The Ackermann’s steering geometry was optimized to ensure the steering linkage turns the wheels to the correct angle when going round corners.

The cargo trailer has an automatic brake which is actuated by the forward momentum of the trailer as the bicycle in front upon breaks. A jockey wheel on the trailers underside prevents the box from being damaged when the trailer is detached from the bicycle.

What did I do?

For the final year of my engineering degree (MEng Hons) I worked in a team of engineers to design and manufacture an ecofriendly vehicle for the collection of material for recycling. The project was completed in conjunction with the University of Nottingham’s Conservation Society and GreenRiders, a recycling scheme. An important part of the project involved calculating the energy cost of the vehicle’s materials and how long it will take to make up that cost by collecting materials for recycling. Full technical drawings were produced for both the cargo tricycle and the bike trailer to ISO and British standards.