Modeling of Bicycle Rider Collision Kinematics

A MADYMO simulation model was created to analyze the kinematics of a bicycle rider during a frontal collision with a rigid object. The model was validated using a series of crash tests in which rider trajectory was captured with high-speed photography. The test bicycles were equipped with either traditional fixed or suspension front forks. Impact speeds varied from 22.5 to 31.0 kph to cover a range of fork response from minor bending to significant bending and fracture. The predictions of simple particle trajectory analysis were found to approximate rider motion. Rider motion was relatively unaffected by hand and foot “connections” to the bicycle. Furthermore, the rider connection to the bicycle was insufficient to create any significant rider deceleration as a result of bicycle fork deformation.