Promoting Safety |
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The Cruzbike approaches safety in three ways:
1 Seat Height and DesignFeet ForwardThe most obvious safety feature of the Cruzbike design is to be traveling feet forward, as you would in any other vehicle, rather than head first as you do on a standard bicycle. VisibilityPlacing the seat height of the Cruzbike at 25” to 26” means you are up in the line of sight of many other road users. Effective BrakingThe seat places the body weight as low or lower than on a standard bicycle to retain braking performance. Anti-'Leg-Suck”One of the dangers of the low racer or trike, apart from being below the sill height of most vehicles, is an injury known as leg-suck, where the leg is dragged under, breaking the femur (thigh bone). The usual ‘lawn chair’ seat design potentially contributes to this, as there are rails on the outside edge of the seat that prevent the leg from rotating to the side and suffering a relatively minor soft tissue sprain. The front of the Cruzbike seat base is rounded and combined with the seat height allows the leg move sideways instead. SupportiveThe Cruzbike seat is specially designed to give support where it is needed, but otherwise to be minimal and not interfere with leg movements. No undue pressureThe shape of the seat has no ridge or saddle and does not place undue pressure on the perineum, rather it is cupped up at the front and flat across the middle. The seat locates the buttocks to prevent the body sliding forward or backwards with pedaling. The back of the seat is broad enough to support the upper back. The top of the seat back is shaped so that it follows the natural curvature of the spine. It is also narrows towards to locate between your shoulder blades and allow you to positively feel that you are sitting properly centered on the bike. Smooth ShapeOne of the injury modes in a bicycle fall is to get caught up with the bike. The Cruzbike seat by its shape which is rounded and following only the profile of the body where needed reduces the risk of injury in a fall. Positive FeelThe seat back narrows near the base and allows the rider to easily stand straddling the bike. This makes it easy to maneuvering the bike. In addition, the weight of the bike is centered fore and aft of the handlebar grips, so that while straddling the bike you can lift it clean off the ground by the handlebars. 2 Seat Position and Suspension50-50 Weight DistributionWhile the seat height is critical, the fore-aft position of the seat is also critical, as this ultimately controls what percentage of weight is over each wheel. We won’t go into the complexities of bicycle handling here except to say that even weight distribution is very important and when riding the Cruzbike, the balanced handling is is immediately apparent. Superior handling characteristics on any bike make a definite contribution to rider safety on all road surfaces and in all riding conditions. Depending on each rider and how the Cruzbike is set up for them, weight distribution will be close to 50% on each wheel. Even TractionThe suspension works – as it does in a car – to stop bumps from bouncing the tire off the road. With the tire in the air, all traction is obviously lost. With the Cruzbike, the suspension helps keep the tires firmly on and gripping the pavement, which improves braking and handling in all conditions. Unlike a mountain bike with knobby tires, the Cruzbike is fitted with 26” x 1.5” pavement tires that offer better grip on sealed roads. (If you are riding unsealed roads please consult your local bicycle dealer for advice on more appropriate tires.) 3 Impact AbsorptionCollapsible Front TubeThe telescoping front tube of the Cruzbike can collapse in a collision and may reduce the severity of the impact on the rider. In addition, the steering tube may bend to absorb impact Note: We strongly advise you to fit a mirror of your choice. |
