Design and Development of an Electric Power-assisted Quadricycle for Female Day-trippers Visiting the Shonan Area

Abstract

In recent years, rental services such as e-bikes and electric kickboards are becoming popular for short-distance local transportation for tourists. However, since fully electric mobility requires a driver's license in Japan, it is difficult to say that anyone can easily ride such vehicles. Electric power-assisted bicycles, which can be driven without a driver's license, help people get around comfortably, but they are difficult to use in the rain. In addition, users are at risk of wobbling or falling when riding at low speeds or stopping because they are heavy.In this study, we designed and developed an electric power-assisted quadricycle that does not require a driving license and has no risk of tipping over as a secondary means of transportation targeting female tourists visiting the Shonan area for a day trip.