The cycle rickshaw is a modified tricycle, which is used extensively as a mode of transport for carrying passengers and luggage. All over India, about 10 lakh persons earn their livelihood by pulling cycle rickshaw. The cycle rickshaw pullers undergo heavy physical work during carrying passengers. Besides, the pullers have to work in hot summer and rainy season. The objectives of the present study were to develop a new design of cycle rickshaw, which would be more comfortable for the driver to pull with lesser effort as well for the passengers to board and travel. In India, Rickshaws are one of the most important means of transportation. In the past years, the changes that took place in the design of the vehicle have not been very prominent. The initial framing structure is still being followed where the seats are at a higher level creating ingress and egress problem, no head cover for the rickshaw puller and no place to keep the luggage. The faults or disadvantages of this design made it necessary for it to be re-designed, keeping in mind the elderly along with the needs of the rickshaw puller who may also be aging. The basic purpose of this re-design was to develop some easy mode of transportation for the elderly. Taking into consideration the infirmity of old age, the first alternative proposed was a low floor and a low seating with proper framing structure to hold. This solved the ingress and egress problem. The next proposal was a head cover for the rickshaw puller for which the cover for the change required to safeguard against extreme climatic changes. To reduce the effort of the puller a small helping electric motor was installed in the wheel axle.
Ergonomics, Anthropometry, Factor of Safety, Speed controller
