Continue from Part 1.
So, where were we?
Yes, if I am not terribly mistaken, we were previously discussing on the ergonomics adjustability service which is provided by our very own local bicycle vendors in Malaysia. As mentioned, a particular bicycle vendor in KL actually provided their customer with the after sales service in customizing their newly purchased bicycle to ‘fit’ best their very own anthropometry. The plan was…yes, the plan *cough* was; for me to actually visits this particular vendor with the interest (not really investigation per se) on identifying the method in which they utilize to ‘fit’ the human operator (cyclist) on the workstation (bicycle).
It is interesting to note that my postgraduate research was kinda similar to this particular service. In my study, I’d develop a mathematical modelling in order to ‘fit’ human operator on motorcycle i.e. the human operator does not need to be present in order for the ‘fit’ to be identified. Whereas, from the information and photographic evidences provided by my colleague (whose dearest husband purchased a bicycle at the particular store and made the necessary adjustments), for the ergonomics adjustability service to be determined, it was observed that the human operator was actually needed to be present during the entire process. From the photo, he was observed to be seated on the bicycle and certain body angle were determined.
Interesting isn’t?
However, yes, however indeed, due to some unavoidable circumstances, really, it was unavoidable; I am still yet to visit the particular bicycle vendor. I’ll soon reschedule to make a proper visit. In the meantime, I would like to share just a little bit of info in regards to bicycling or motorcycling working posture. Although in a glance, we can say that the working postures for bicycling and motorcycling are almost identical, nevertheless, upon close examination, or you just happen to have the opportunity to ride on both modes of transportations; the workstation layout plays a major role with respect to the resulting muscle activity which is needed to practice and hold the bicycling/motorcycling working posture.
The full results of the investigation on the muscular activity with respect to motorcycling posture will hopefully be presented during the 8th International Conference in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering 2017 (ICME ’17) in Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman (yeay). But, do not be alarmed, we will continue the discussion in regards to the effects of workstation layout on the human operator’s muscle activity in the upcoming newsletter.
Dr. Muhammad Izzat Nor Ma’arof
Senior Lecturer, Mechanical Engineering Department,
Faculty of Engineering and Quantity Surveying,
Persiaran Perdana BBN, Putra Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
INTI International University.
