Part 3 of 4: Hoima Bicycle Documentary

Part 2 of 4: Hoima Bicycle on Youtube

Hoima Bicycle DVD available now

My documentary about design for the other 90%, Hoima Bicycle, was just released on DVD on Amazon.com.  It shows the process of designing a bicycle for and with Ugandan bicycle couriers, known as Boda-boda. Filmed primarily in Uganda, it shows the realities of current day East Africa, from the chaotic streets of Kampala to the inside of gritty mud-thatched homes in rural Hoima.

The intent was that it could be used in the classroom as a point of discussion about designing for social impact.  The project had it's successes and it's shortcomings, but many lessons can be drawn from it.  Especially a look at the culture of modern day East Africa for those who might want to do work there.It's only 30 minutes long and I'll be posting a list of discussion questions here and on the WWU ID site.

I'll be presenting on the project at the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) annual conference "Open" in San Francisco on March 26th, 2010.

Hoima Bicycle: Posted on Youtube

I've posted the complete documentary, Hoima Bicycle, on Youtube.

This documentary shows the process of designing a bicycle for and with Ugandan bicycle couriers, known as Boda-boda. Filmed primarily in Uganda, it shows the realities of current day East Africa, from the chaotic streets of Kampala to the inside of gritty mud-thatched homes in rural Hoima. In Uganda many residents use cheap, clunky bicycles for their primary means of transportation. Through a unique collaboration between an American designer and Ugandan couriers, a new bicycle design was conceived and a prototype was made. The designer then traveled to Uganda to meet the couriers and to have the bike tested and critiqued. Would they like it? Or is it back to the drawing board? How can you use your talents and skills to help the poor of the world?

This is part 1 of 4.

If you would like a DVD of the complete documentary (30 minutes) it will soon be available on Amazon.com.  I'll be posting discussion questions so that it could be used in design education.  Although this project had many mistakes and some successes, I learned a great deal from the experience.

Bicycle T-shirts to Support Hoima Bicycle Project

Here's a some bike shirts and stickers that I just designed...

http://www.zazzle.com/treadwater

$2 per sale will go to the Hoima Bicycle Project in Uganda.

We're designing a bicycle along side Uganda bike couriers, and

hoping to set up a micro business frame shop in Uganda. With

the goal of bringing these young men and their families out of poverty.

Hoima Bicycle project on IDSA webinar

Thanks to Leslie Speer, Leslie Cron and the IDSA for allowing me to share the story of the Hoima Bicycle project. The webinar was attended by about 50 people from around the world. And I received great suggestions on improvements and ways to continue the project.

I'm currently talking with Tristan Allen who is in Uganda with the First African Bicycle Information Organization about setting up a small fabrication shop in Jinja to make some frames and assemble the bikes.

Here's a further description of the design:

Prototype 1.0

The first prototype design is essentially an elongated mountain bike with an integrated rack. The front geometry has comfortable mountain bike geometry with a low stand-over height, rigid fork, and 26 inch front wheel. The 20 inch rear wheel has been moved back, increasing its wheelbase 10 inches which allows for a more distributed load between the two wheels and provides more area for loads and passengers. A rear rack is designed to be integrated into the welded frame and is in the form of a tetrahedron. This is a very structurally rigid and lightweight form.

All extraneous parts and accessories were omitted. The rear wheel uses a coaster brake hub to eliminate rear cables, brake pads, and reduce maintenance. The drive train is a simple roller chain, single-speed freewheel and is geared low to roll at 12 mph at 90 rpm. (3.7 m (145 inches) per revolution development). A small rear wheel allows for a lower platform and center of gravity for carrying cargo. This would be advantageous for some types of low density cargo, such as firewood or charcoal and is stacked high on the bike. A small 20 inch wheel is structurally stronger but has higher rolling resistance than a 26 inch or larger wheel.

Reactions and Revisions

Several meetings were held with many different Ugandans in Hoima to test ride the bicycle and discuss ways that it could be improved and features that they liked. Positive comments were received on its light weight, lower gear ratio, performance of linear brakes, riding comfort, color and its ability to carry loads. Negative reactions were regarding its different sized wheels, the lack of a chain guard, the rear platform low height, its need for foot pegs, and its lack of compatible parts availability. Everyone was open to new technologies, such as linear pull brakes and quick release skewers, as long as there were compatible parts available. “How much will it cost?” and “Can I get spare parts” were the most commonly asked questions. The bike performed well through many rides on the rough roads around Hoima and was used frequently with passengers.

This design was just issued a US Design Patent, and if a bicycle manufacturer is interested in licensing the design, they can contact me directly.

Hoima Cargo bicycle being made in Jinja

Tristan Allen is working in Jinja, Uganda with the Bicycle Sponsorship Project Workshop (http://bspw.org) and has set up a small frame building shop to create a small production run of the Hoima Cargo Bicycle. Here are some pictures that he just sent. Read his blog for more details. And they could use some funding for this to work, so please consider contributing to the project.