Sofie; A Bicycle that Supports Older Cyclists, Netherlands
Sofie is an electrical bicycle that prevents elderly cyclists from falling. Older cyclists remain at high risk of sustaining injury if they are falling from the bike. This awareness has led to design a friendly bicycle for elderly cyclists. This prototype bicycle supports the stability of elderly or people with disabilities, especially when riding slowly. This bike increases stability by drive-off assistance and by automatically lowering the saddle at low speeds. SOFIE bicycle has been especially designed to enhance safety and comfort of older cyclists by means of three simple and readily available support systems, which include an automatic adjustable saddle height, optimized frame and wheel geometry and drive-off assistance.