Posted by Lieutenant Jeremy Harris (Assistant Engineering Director) in Technology Submission - PUSH-BIKE - Open Until 09-19-26

Posted by Vice Admiral Robert Archer (Engineering Director) in Technology Submission - PUSH-BIKE - Open Until 09-19-26
The following technology submission is open for review until 9/19/26. All constructive comments, suggestions, and such are welcome. These can be from any active member in the club. Any questions on the review process please let me know.

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Name of Technology
Personal Unified Secure Hybrid - Biometric Integrated Kinetic Explorer (PUSH-BIKE)

Category of Technology

Miscellaneous
Description
The Personal Unified Secure Hybrid - Biometric Integrated Kinetic Explorer or PUSH-BIKE caters for the Federation citizen who may not be able to fly a shuttlecraft or drive a hover car, but who still needs to get from point A to point B while on a planet’s surface, especially when it’s too far to walk.

The Frame
The PUSH-BIKE is a sweeping, step-through design, made from a lightweight, tritanium-polymer blend. The owner of each individual PUSH-BIKE can choose a colour for their PUSH-BIKE, or they can leave it in the matte-grey colour they get produced in. There is also the possibility to accent them with ship or school logos, Starfleet division colours to personalise the finished products. The frame includes a specialised sensor platform near the rear wheel which is mounted by the rider’s animal companion. The platform registers the animal’s weight and signature, and depresses the front canopy, which then opens with a silent hiss. Depending on the animal, it either gets into the canopy itself or is lifted into it by the rider. A small internal dermal sensor registers its presence, closes the canopy and ensures a safe and smooth environment and experience for the animal companion.

The Drive
Unlike the Earth’s pushbike, the PUSH-BIKE has no greasy chains or gears, as these can break or mark uniforms or civilian clothes. Instead, the vehicle features hubless wheels that operate on magnetic suspension. The individual using the PUSH-BIKE is doing the physical work of pedalling, but the energy transfers wirelessly to the magnetic rim-drive, adapting seamlessly to whether the rider is traversing on a paved road, a bumpy dirt path, across paddocks or on a rocky environment.

The ‘Basket’
There is often a need for the user of the PUSH-BIKE to transport produce, supplies, or even school projects with them. While the technology from 20th century earth solved this issue with a woven wicker basket, with or without an artificial flower on the front of it, the PUSH-BIKE’S ‘basket’ is a forward cargo bay made of spun-duranium wire. It might look delicate, but it is practically indestructible. The basket is large enough to carry a school bag, project or a bag of groceries.

The bottom of this ‘basket features a low-level, localised stasis field to ensure that fresh produce stays perfectly crisp and intact until the rider gets home, useful on hot days, long rides or bumpy paths.
The top rim of the basket (or Console) is designed to hold a PADD for directions or communications. Use of the PADD while using the PUSH-BIKE is a safety risk and riders are asked to ensure they are fully aware of pedestrians, animals and other vehicles while using the PUSH-BIKE.

Built into the console is a set of padded, cylindrical slots specifically machined to hold small objects that might prevent the rider to hold onto the handles, while also allowing for easy access to tools should they be needed quickly in an emergency, and the rider doesn’t want to spend time riffling through the contents of the basket.

The Navigator’s Pod
One of the designers of the PUSH-BIKE had a feline companion who liked to keep a close eye on proceedings. At first, the cat would get in the basket, which wrecked the delicate circuitry of the console, so the designers added an integrated canopy for the cat, which gave it a far more pleasant ride, and also permitted it a 270 degree view, perfect for viewing the trip. Made of transparent aluminium composite, this aerodynamic canopy is integrated forward of the handlebars, sitting just above and slightly forward of the main cargo area.

The Bell
The bell looks like a traditional, vintage bicycle bell, that is a polished, domed hemisphere mounted right next to her thumb grip. Rather than being made of cheap metal, it is forged from a highly reflective, brushed duranium alloy. It allows the rider to use a tactile click or flick mechanism, which is a good grounding physical action for the rider.

The bell functions as a high-powered, integrated combadge, linked directly to the colony’s local subspace relay. It allows the rider to receive incoming and make outgoing calls with a single tap on the top of the dome and then use voice commands while focusing on the trip. In order to maintain privacy, the bell doesn’t use a standard speaker, instead it projects a tight-beam directional audio field directly to the rider’s ears.

Finally the bell can act as a warning to pedestrians who may be in the path of the PUSH-BIKE through the use of a thumb-trigger on the side of the bell. The bell emits a classic, cheerful ‘ding-ding’ sound, but it uses a directional acoustic wave, aimed specifically at the person in the rider’s path. This means that others in the area are not disturbed.

The Sound
Unlike the bicycle of 20th and 21st century Earth, the PUSH-BIKE hums or purrs, as opposed to rattles and clicks. As the PUSH-BIKE uses a magnetic drive, it produces a low, soothing electromagnetic purr, like a feline or an idling impulse engine. If the rider stops pedalling and lets the PUSH-BIKE coast down a hill, the hum drops to a barely audible whisper, accompanied only by the soft crunch of the smart-tread tyres against the ground.

Security and Locking Up
Padlocks and similar devices are not used in locations where the PUSH-BIKE is used. Instead, vehicle security is achieved through a Dermal Sensor and Inertial Anchor.

Dermal Sensor
The handlebar grips have built-in biometric sensors that read the DNA or ID signature of the attempted user, to ensure it is an approved person. If the sensors do not detect an approved user, the PUSH-BIKE won’t be able to work. This is due to the Inertial Anchor.

Inertial Anchor
When the rider reaches their destination, they tap a small panel on the PUSH-BIKE’s frame. This activates a localised inertial dampener on the vehicle, which essentially glues it to the spot’s gravitational plating. To anyone who isn’t the rider or an approved user, it becomes immovable, as heavy as a starship, until an approved user grabs the handlebars, at which point the anchor unlocks.

Conclusion
The PUSH-BIKE is for the 25th century Federation citizen who may require transportation on a planet’s surface but does not want to walk and may not be able to drive a hover vehicle, the optional inclusion of a navigator pod means the owner’s non-sentient companion can travel with them in a secure and comfortable environment.

Creator of Technology
Russell JK Watt

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Robert Archer EDir

An amusing submission, and one that keeps with the STF tradition of increasingly implausible apronyms!

My only note is regarding comments such as the basket is “practically indestructable” and the intertial anchor makes it “as heavy as a starship.”

These claims are likely just hyperbole… perhaps even marketing sound bites that extol the PUSH-BIKES’ virtues. They probabaly seem that way (indestructable or heavy as a starship) at the scale of a normal humanoid.

But, I’m not sure how literally those comments can be interpreted if approved. Players being players, somebody could try blocking a phaser blast with the PUSH-BIKES basket and claim it works because its practically indestructable.

That being said… I think common sense aplies and the specification is fine as is. I’m mostly pointing it out to get a feel for this review process and see how others weigh in.

Jeremy H - Assistant Engineer

A very enjoyable technical read! And kudos, Russ, you have come up with a novel design for a futuristic bicycle. Well done!

Krystelle