The document summarizes the development of an electric bicycle (e-bike) by a team of students and faculty at George Brown College (GBC) to provide a green alternative for urban commuting. The team aims to create an e-bike with increased power and range. Their objectives include building an efficient e-bike that can travel long distances on a single charge while providing extra power. The team's work so far includes developing a rear carrier to hold two batteries, hooking up a controller and electrical system to power the rear hub motor, and adding brake lights. Future work includes fully integrating the two hub motors, testing the e-bike, and exploring its potential for racing competitions.

1. GBC E-Bike
A Green Alternative to Urban Commuting
Research and Innovation
Pradeep Kalsi May 15, 2009

2. Edward Wong
• Tool & Die Graduate & Engineering Design Student (design & fabrication specialist)
Andy Lau
• Tool & Die student (research & design specialist)
Michael Joyette
• Electro-Mechanical Graduate (research & electrical specialist)
Clayton Wozney
• Tool & Die and Mechanical Engineering Design Graduate (scheduler, & motivation specialist)
Professor Leo Salemi
• Electrical Advisor and Great Guy!
Professor Ted Lewis
Electrical Advisor and Good Friend!
Professor Pradeep Kalsi
• Mastermind and Project Lead
Team Members

3. To create an urban Electric Bicycle that has increased
power and range, to fit the urban lifestyle.
Introduction

4. Signature Vehicle
To develop a vehicle whereby GBC students, faculty and staff from the
Electro-Mechanical & Mechanical Engineering cluster can collaborate on a
common project to develop inter-disciplinary skills and strengthen
relationships
Racing Competitions
To provide GBC students an opportunity to enhance this vehicle on a yearly
basis for racing competitions between like minded institutions
Relationships
To develop relationships between GBC, Industry Partners and The Municipality
Of Toronto as participants and sponsors for Electric Bike Racing Competitions
Objectives

5. Building An Electric Bicycle For
Efficiency
For riding safely throughout the Toronto downtown core (ensuring visibility
and ease of mobility)
Long Distance Travel
Go a farther distance to and from a specific location without draining the
batteries (re-plenishing the batteries as you ride)
Power Requirements
Extra power for initial take off , climbing steep inclines, and maintaining a
safe speed without impeding traffic to make it a stress free ride
Research Objectives

6. Dual Battery Packs
• Can the electric bicycle be fitted with two battery packs working in tandem to provide
enough energy to travel great distances without discharging?
Controller Capacity
• Can the main controller effectively manage to control and process information to drive the
two hub motors?
Re-Generation
• Can the braking action of the bike be directed to re-generate a depleted battery pack?
Storage Rack
• Can a carrier be designed to house two lithium ion battery packs and pradeep’s sitar
without hindering maneuverability?
Main Questions for Research

7. 1.Collaboration
• Group brain- storming among stakeholders; students, faculty and staff in meeting objectives,
outcomes, time-lines and duties
2. Design Stage
• Design of hard components; namely rear carrier housing, lighting housing, controller, ignition
housing, wiring and schematics of electrical hook ups to throttle, controller, hub motors,
lighting system
3. Development Stage
• Equipment and materials (type of batteries, capacity of electrical motors and controller) to be
used and purchased as well as functionality considerations and specifications of the bike after
completion
4. Manufacturing Stage
• D – Building Labs to be used and availability, logistics, machinery and equipment required
(manual and cnc machinery), Cad-Cam labs, time-lines, Faculty assistance and supervision
5. Testing Stage
• Testing the vehicle for handling, safety, performance, functionality and specifications
6. Electrical Wiring
• Leo’s Infrastructure Testing Lab
Methodology

8. Rear Carrier
– Build and design a rear carrier to house two lithium ion battery packs for longer travel
time
Controller
– Configure one controller with a throttle to activate (or de-activate) the front and rear
hub motors when necessary
Re-Generation
– Have one battery pack that was replete of energy being re-charged when braking or
slowing down
Braking System
– Fit the braking system to activate brake lights
– Configure the batteries to the braking system for power re-generation
Turning Signals
– Fit a switch to activate turning signals
Improvements

9. 1.Rear Carrier
• Developed and attached a rear carrier to house two lithium batteries
2. Electrical System
• A Controller is hooked up to a throttle to power a rear hub motor
• A front switched attached to the braking system actives rear brake lights
3. Brake Light Housing
• Developed and hooked up a system with brake lights
Work in Progress
• Electrical hook-up between two hub motors is still in the development stage
as schematics for the controller are being investigated
• The battery packs are ready to be mounted in a manufactured rear carrier
• The turn signals require a housing and a switch is required for activation at
the hand controls
Result Thus Far

10. Result Thus Far

11. Research Projects Take Time
- juggling a teaching schedule and managing a research team can be challenging
Learning New Things
– Takes time and patience (electrical)
After Market Components
– Components obtained from an unknown distributor can be difficult to troubleshoot and specifications can be difficult to
obtain (namely specs. & schematics for the controller)
Dedicated & Motivated Team
– Developing a dedicated team to take responsibilities can be a big concern on such projects
– Delegating responsibilities can be difficult at times
Communication & Involvement
– It is okay to ask for help from faculty, staff and industry partners
Cooperation & Participation
– It is sometimes difficult accessing other labs
– It can be difficult to get faculty, staff and students to participation in projects such as this
Expectations
– Sometimes too many or too high expectations can delay the outcomes
– Sometimes being over ambitious can hinder progress and may not be contagious
– Punjab was not invented in one day
Simplicity
– Try to make things simple
The Sitar
– Leave it at home
Lessons Learned

12. Electrical System
– Developing the electrical system to be hooked up to the two hub motors so that they can be
activated together or independently when required
– Developing an activation switch for turn signals
– Developing a method for re-generating a depleted battery
Mechanical System
– Developing a housing for the controller, ignition switch and turn signals
Testing
– Testing the bike to determine specifications of distance on one charge, manoeuverability, speed,
mobility
Racing Potential
– Develop the bike to enter into competitions
– Testing the market for interest in developing e-bike racing competitions
Future Research

13. Acknowledgements
And
Questions
Michael Joyette
Edward Wong
Andy Lau
Clayton Wozney
Leo Salemi
Taesu Yim
Mark Dagenais
Ted Lewis
Laura Sauer
Green Rider: Neil and Julian
Robert Luke
Meadow Larkins
Dawn Davidson
Baaba Lewis
Nancy Sherman
Jeff Litwin
Erin Agnew
My Wife, Jasmine
GBC