My thesis is complete and I'm very happy!
Our project was all about getting people moving around cities. The bicycle is great device, but too large for most urban dwellings. Bikes are also long range vehicles - all wrong for the shorter distances many have to travel in dense urban spaces. I think it can replace bikes and encourage more people to leave their cars at home for short errands.
Fact One: many subway lines are at capacity in NYC...and very little expansion is planned
Fact Two: 1 million more people will live in NYC in the next 10 years.
Fact Three: Many of these people will seek more affordable housing...which is largely away from subway-rich areas.
Fact Four: Buses are on average about as fast as running.
Fact Five: Euro-styled Bike parking around subways takes more real estate than NYC can afford.
The footbike is like an oversized scooter-cum-half-bicycle. Our user testing showed that people enjoyed riding it, and that the folding functionality was a welcome feature. The stem also folds down, allowing it to ultimately fold into thirds...It can definitely address some of these urbanization issues...I'll upload some pics on more coroflot site soon...
