Elgeseter gate

 Elgesetergate  is one of the four main roads in Trondheim, primarily used by cars, public transport, and deliveries. The road consists of tall old and new buildings on each side, making it a canyon trapping all the pollution from the traffic. At present, Elgesetergate is the most polluted road in Trondheim and one of the most significant improvement projects in the municipality.   

• Environment 
• Social engagement 
• Technology 

What can be a solution for increasing active mobility and bicycling around Elgesetergate? 

During school, the group has been working on reducing pollution. The leading solution proposed was to promote active mobility with a focus on bicycling all year around.

The group suggested adding bicycle hotels near the areas that are densely populated by students, mainly to help students travel from their homes to the Gløshaugen campus. Hotels are safe and protected spaces for keeping bicycles and electric scooters.

Students also proposed providing hybridized adjustable bikes suitable for persons of different sizes and specially challenged people.

After discussing the concept, the group formed a brand name and logo. They have shortened the Norwegian word for “Everyday Bike,” which is “Hverdagssykkel,” and ended up with “Hvekkel” as the brand name.

The logo design is inspired by bicycles, recycling, and the environment. In addition, they have used vibrant colors to bring a youthful character to the concept.  

The group worked on designing an adjustable hybrid electric bicycle. The idea is to create something that is environmentally friendly, usable for everyone, and helps users easily travel around the city.  

The adjustable hybrid electric bike has a futuristic design, with the provision to adjust the handlebar height and seat. This way, it will be usable for people of all sizes. In addition, the battery in the bike will help assist the biker uphill, making cycling more accessible and less tiring.  

Other features that the bicycle will have, are storage space and a locking function. This way you can bring more things on your travels and have stops along the way where you can lock your bike.   

The designed of bicycle hotels is focus on: 

• Effective use of space – the hotels can be smaller while having room for many bicycles. 
• Easy access – so the users don’t have to spend much time; they can scan, grab and go.
• Environment – The bicycle hotel will have solar panels on the roof to help charge the electric bicycles. 
• Hygiene – Some hotels near the centrum will have showers, so people can feel fresh after they arrive at their school or office.
• Sustainability – The module’s shape enables the collection of rainwater that can be used for plants or the shower section.
• Aesthetics – Trondheim is a colorful city. Adding color and greenery will also improve the feel of the area and the bicycle hotel's attractiveness.
•  Enabling common space – Adding the roof and benches will make the place more inviting and social.
• Practical use – Some hotels will also have bicycle repair areas that anyone with a bike can use.

The app for hybridized electric bikes is inspired by the apps used for electric scooters and has helpful features: 

• A key for the hotels – Every account will get a QR code that can be scanned at the hotel for access. 
• A scanner for the bicycle QR-codes – This feature is for getting the bikes inside the hotels.  
• Map with location of hotels – You can see how many bikes are at each hotel, and the app will show you the fastest way to get to the nearest hotel. 
• Map showing bicycle roads – This feature offers the user an overview of the city’s bicycle roads. It can also map how to cycle to your destination via these bicycle lanes. 
• Incentives – The app will register how much time or how many kilometers your bike has, and based on that, there will be goals you can reach to get rewards. An example would be that after 10,000 km of biking, you can earn a free day pass in a winter month.