Talk about being a part of something much bigger than yourself--several
Michigan Technological University students, with the guidance of General Motors, recently designed and built two prototype bikes that will be used to ride in endurance races. But the most impressive part of the project is that the bikes are hand-cranked three-wheel cycles for wounded veterans to ride in future competitions as part of the
Achilles Freedom Team of wounded Veterans.
The bikes will be unveiled during the nationally-televised Army-Navy football game this Saturday with kickoff slated for 3 p.m.
One of the cycles is called the Tomahawk and the other is called the Keweenaw Cruiser. A member of the Achilles Freedom Team will ride one of the cycles out onto the field during a first-quarter time out, accompanied by Michigan Tech senior James Cook and GM representatives. Cook is a mechanical engineering major and member of one of five Senior Design teams that worked on the project, called Huskies Helping Heroes.
Another Michigan Tech student, Brett Jenkins, will represent the teams at a pre-game press conference.
"This is the most rewarding assignment I’ve ever worked on," says Jenkins.
Both cycles use high-strength steel alloys for durability, improved restraints for comfort and safety, and designs that make them more portable and less prone to damage.
Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Michigan Tech
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