Mitigating Mobility Challenges in Rural Areas of Nigeria: Adaptation of Carriage to Bicycle and Motorcycle

In many rural parts of Nigeria, head-loading and several unsafe loading conditions on bicycles and motorcycles characterize mobility of perishable agricultural produce that affects economic and social development. This paper highlights developed carriages adaptable on bicycle and motorcycle, affordable for goods mobility. Developed were different trailer designs for the bicycle: fixed plate design (FPD); convertible plate design (CPD); and wire mesh design (WMD) and two trailer designs for motorcycle: fixed plate design (FPD) and convertible plate design (CPD). Hitch systems used are universal joint and collar assembly for bicycle trailer and annular of heavy duty cylindrical cone housing and bolt for motorcycle trailer. There was satisfactory performance in four areas of ergonomic evaluation. Speed tests showed that the WMD bicycle, CPD/FPD bicycle and CPD/FPD motorcycle trailers have a respective maximum speed of 9.1 – 12, 6.5-8 and 16-18 km/h depending on the amount of load and the type of road. Haulage test showed that the trailers manoeuvre effectively and are controllable and usable on all types of road surfaces. The produced carriages strengthen capacity for adaptation to transport supply needs and ensure sustainable farm products transportation mode that increases rate evacuation and reduces farm products decay awaiting transport to market.