[Riven]

I have a questionaire to do for my tech coursework at GCSE at i would appreciate it if people could reply with answers to my questionaire. The product i will be making is a bike alarm.
Please reply with question number and the letter(s) choosen, for each question.

1) How often do you cycle? (choose one only)
   a) Everyday
   b) Several times a week
   c) Once a week
   d) Less than once a week

2) Approximately how much is your bike worth? (choose one only)
   a) Under £50
   b) £50 - £99
   c) £100 - £199
   d) £200 - £300
   e) Over £300

3) Do you ever leave your bike unattended? (choose one only)
   a) Yes
   b) Yes but in sight
   c) No

4) What is the longest you have left your bike in a public place (choose one only)
   a) Less than ½ hour
   b) ½ hour - 1 hour
   c) 1 hour - 2 hours
   d) 2 hours - 3hours
   e) 3hours - 4 hours
   f) Longer than 4 hours

5) If yes then how do you secure your bike while unattended? (choose all that apply)
   a) Chain & lock
   b) D-Lock
   c) Cable lock
   d) Bike alarm
   e) Don’t secure

6) If you own a lock then what method of unlocking does it use? (choose all that apply)
   a) Padlock (separate)
   b) Key lock
   c) Rotary number code (changeable)
   d) Rotary number code (fixed)
   e) Other (please specify)

7) Have you ever…? (choose all that apply)
   a) Lost your padlock
   b) Lost your key
   c) Lost your lock
   d) Forgotten your number code
   e) Had your code changed by someone other than you

8) What do you secure your bike too? (choose all that apply)
   a) Bike rack
   b) Through the wheels & frame
   c) To another bike
   d) Solid fixed structure
   e) Don’t secure

9) Have you ever had a bike stolen or tampered with (choose all that apply)
   a) Stolen
   b) Tampered with
   c) Damaged
   d) No/Not that I’m aware of

10) Do you think a bike alarm would deter a thief? (choose one only)
   a) Yes
   b) If attention was attracted to them
   c) No

11) Would you consider buying a reliable bike alarm? (choose one only)
   a) Yes
   b) Only after a demonstration/recommendation
   c) No

12) Which combination would you prefer? (choose one box only)
   a) Lock & Alarm
   b) Alarmed lock (tamper alarm)
   c) Alarm on its own (permanently on)
   d) Alarm on its own (selectable on/off)

13) What would you like an alarm to detect? (number in order of preference)
   a) Wheel movement
   b) Vibrations
   c) Lock cut
   d) Lock unlocked
   e) Pressure on saddle

14) How would you want a bike alarm stop a thief? (choose all that apply)
   a) Loud Siren
   b) Loud Single tone
   c) Bright flashing light
   d) Harm the thief lightly
   e) Disable the bike (possibility of damage to the bike)

15) Would you want people to be aware of your bike being alarmed? (choose one only)
   a) Yes (large obvious alarm with markings)
   b) On close inspection (warning sign on alarm)
   c) No (unmarked casing of alarm)
   d) No (unmarked box as inconspicuous as possible)

16) How would you prefer to disable the alarm? (choose one only)
   a) Key
   b) Coded card
   c) Numbered code (keypad)
   d) Numbered code (rotary numbers)

17) If a numbered code then would you want this to be changeable? (choose one only)
   a) Yes
   b) No
   c) Don’t mind

18) If a bike alarm was a proven deterrent would you consider buying one? (choose one only)
 
   a) Yes defiantly
   b) If it was guaranteed
   c) Only if it was very cheap
   d) Only as a gimmick
   e) No

19) If yes of some sort how much would you consider paying for a bike alarm? (choose one only)
   a) Under £2.50
   b) £2.50 - £4.99
   c) £5.00 - £9.99
   d) £10.00 - £14.99
   e) More than £15.00

20) Do you have a preference as to were you would like a bike alarm to be fitted? (choose one only)
   a) Don’t mind
   b) Front forks
   c) Handle bars
   d) Frame horizontal
   e) Frame vertical
   f) Under saddle
   g) Rear wheel mounts
   h) Other (please specify)

………………………………

Any other comments
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[Stealth]

1.    Less than once a week
2.    In dollars - over $700.00
3.    Yes i leave it unattended - but locked
4.    Longer than 4 hours - but locke
5.    Chain and lock and remove valuable equipment
6.    Key and two rotary number codes
7.    i've lost my key before
8.    Any solid fixed structure - through both wheels and frame
9.    vandalized, and had back tire pierced
10.   it would deter a thief
11.   I'd have to see a demonstration before buying an alarm
12.   Lockand alarm
13.   wheel movement, pressure on saddle, handlebars... alarm must be hidden.
14.   electric shock through handlebars and frame (to deter thief)
15.   no, alarm must be invisible, under the seat or something, all wires should be through the frame
16.   numbered code to disable the alarm
17.   doesn't matter, preferably changeable
18.   i'd buy it if it worked
19.   no more than $200.00
20.   should be inconsipcuous, preferably under the seat, or by the handlebars by the light (so it looks like a battery or something)...also should be able to detect anything done to EQUIPMENT, and not just the actual bicycle

[Riven]

err, could do with more than 1 reply!:nod:  The info u gave was really useful stealth, thanks

[aldo_14]

1) d) Less than once a week

2) b) £50 - £99

3) a) Yes

4) f) Longer than 4 hours

5) b) D-Lock


6) b) Key lock

7) N/A

8) b)Through the wheels & frame
   d) Solid fixed structure

9) d) No/Not that I’m aware of

10) b) If attention was attracted to them

11) c) No

12) b) Alarmed lock (tamper alarm)


13) c) a) d) b) e)

14) a) Loud Siren
   d) Harm the thief lightly)

15) d) No (unmarked box as inconspicuous as possible)

16) c) Numbered code (keypad))

17) a) Yes


18) c) Only if it was very cheap


19) b) £2.50 - £4.99


20)    f) Under saddle

[Zeronet]

1) How often do you cycle? (choose one only)
a) Everyday

2) Approximately how much is your bike worth? (choose one only)
c) £100 - £199


3) Do you ever leave your bike unattended? (choose one only)
a) Yes


4) What is the longest you have left your bike in a public place (choose one only)

d) 2 hours - 3hours


5) If yes then how do you secure your bike while unattended? (choose all that apply)
a) Chain & lock

6) If you own a lock then what method of unlocking does it use? (choose all that apply)
a) Padlock (separate)


7) Have you ever…? (choose all that apply)
No

8) What do you secure your bike too? (choose all that apply)
d) Solid fixed structure


9) Have you ever had a bike stolen or tampered with (choose all that apply)
d) No

10) Do you think a bike alarm would deter a thief? (choose one only)
a) Yes


11) Would you consider buying a reliable bike alarm? (choose one only)
c) No

Comments: I ride to school everyday, a bike alarm would probably only annoy people in class and the thief could easily tamper with it.

[Fineus]

1 : A
2 : D, I recently replaced a lot of the components...
3 : A - But locked up of course, otherwise no.
4 : F - Three days in fact...
5 : C
6 : C
7 :
8 : A,B,D
9 : C, Various punctures to both wheels that I don't attribute to natural causes.
10 : B
11 : B
12 : A
13 : E
14 : A or D
15 : B
16 : C
17 : A
18 : A
19 : E, though no more than £25
20 : F

Comments : Like Zeronet I use my bike on a daily basis including college travel where it's likely to be accidentally bumped into by other students locking their bikes up etc... so any alarms would have to have some degree of control so that a gust of wind doesn't set them off, in addition the alarm should be as well hidden as possible, whilst still coming with an optional deterant sticker for the frame and so on. A remote control of some sort similar to a mobile phone with screen and keypad to activate/deactivate the alarm would also be a plus, removing the need to fiddle around with the alarm - potentially in the dark, wet or other unsavoury conditions.

It might be worth combining two different forms of security on the bike alarm so that if one is tampered with the bike may still be securly alarmed (so if the saddle is removed or if the bikes front wheel is removed etc... the alarm is still effective). Just because a bike is being stolen doesn't mean it's going to be ridden away - indeed if it's an expensive bike it may be loaded onto a truck or lorry etc.. and so a saddle or wheel motion device would be useless untill it is out of range of the owner of the bike to hear it.

Finally a GPS/location system would be a wonderful thing, perhaps fitted inside the frame of the bike to enable its location to be tracked via satellite and  thus recovered in the event of theft.

Good luck with the project!

[Stryke 9]

1: d
2: Not a lot, or even less, depending if you mean the one I rescued from the scrap heap or the one I regularly use because both brakes work (but not the gear changer thingy)
3: A
4: Don't Know
5: Does being secure in the knowledge that anyone who stole it would not know that by switching to third gear (as in most even terrain) would cause some flying-over-the-handlebar action count?
6, &etc: I think the last one answered pretty well the rest. Nobody in their right mind would steal my bike, in the current state it's in, and thise few maniacs who would wouldn't last long. No, I'd never buy an alarm system, because I know for a fact that I, for one, would sooner steal the alarm than the bike.

[Mr. Vega]

[list=1]

• b
• c
• a
• a
• e
• -
• -
• e
• d
• b
• b
• a
• d & e
• d.5 (kill the theif:D)
• b
• c
• a
• f-possibly
• c
• f
[/list=1]

[Bobboau]

1)c
2)$250 I think
3)a
4)d
5)c and c (two wire locks, though I lost the keys recently so I have been trying to avoid leaving it alone)
6)b
7)b (like I said)
8)a,b,d
9)d
10)c
11)b (more like if it would some how tell me if it was getting tampered with)
12)a
13)c,d,e,b,a
14)d,c,a (and I'd like to get like a page or something, maybe a radio type thing)
15)b (I want potental theifs to be awar of it but I don't want it takeing up valuable water or cargo space, if it could be integrated into the tube body of the bike that would be ideal)
16)a (actualy I'd rather have one of those remote controles like car alarms have)
17)a
18)a
19)not sure what that is in US currency, if it had all the features I wanted and was reliable, I'd be willing to pay upwards of $35, $70 or more if it had a reliable hard to remove homeing device of some sort
20)of the choices listed Id say uder the seat or in one of the forks (this thing must be water proof) but as I said my preference would be integrated into the tube body it'self so there would be no tampering and it wouldn't take up valuable water/cargo space

it may be of interest or use for you to know I ride a 21 speed (it's a hibyrd but primarily mountan) mountan bike, I try to get at least one good ride every weekend but I don't always find the time, last saturday I completed a fifty mile (probly about 100KM) bike ride in about 6 hours, It is generaly about 4 to 8 miles between citys in my aria so on hot days haveing enough water (and food) is not optional, also I tend to bring a lot of stuff with me, like the garage door opener, any food I may have with me

[Stealth]

wow, that should do for your survey Riven, you've got everyone from Thunder who has uses his bike every day for dependability to me whose got a uber-souped up bike.  well... i don't update it anymore, since i got my license i haven't had the need

[Stealth]

yeah, i had a 15 speed Raleigh red mountain bike uhhh, from like 1995 - 1999, but then i got an awesome bike (chrome) in 1999-2000 (can't remember exactly)

[Kamikaze]

1) c
2) d
3) a
4) e
5) b,c
6) b,c
7) d
8) a,b,d
9) d
10) b
11) b
12) a
13) c,d,e,b,a
14) d
15) a
16) a
17) a
18) b
19) c
20) e

[Redfang]

1. a) When I have to go to school. If going to school doesn't count, then d.
2. e) It was over 600€, I think.
3. a), but locked, usually.
4. f)
5. Meh, some lock.
6. b) A key lock.
7. No.
8. Meh, depends I guess.
9. d)
10. a)
11. Maybe b)
12. a)
13. d, c and a)
14. a, and probably d).
15. I don't actually know. Maybe I'd like them to know that it's alarmed, though maybe not.
16. c)
17. a)
18. c)
19. Meh, not much.
20. I can't think now.

[Stunaep]

okeyday:

1) Everyday

2) £200-300

3) Yes.

4) 1 hour - 2 hours. Like when going to the local e-cafe, at the small peaceful city in southern Estonia.

5) b) and/or e). And isn't that a U lock?

6) keylock

7) no.

8) d)

9) b) and c). Depends, if I'm cycling alone or with a friend..

10) well, they don't stop car thieves, but... well, b)

11) b)

12) a)

13) b) and c)

14) a) and d). Only... why lightly?

15) b)

16) c)

17) a)

18) a)

19) c)

20) well, the vertical frame part seems to be the only place, where it doesn't bother any other tools (unless you have twin bottle holders), so e)

[Riven]

Great response, thanks everyone.

Several coments about accidentally going off, i plan to have to sensor systems linked to an OR gate, one will be a reed switch (megnetic) which will be attached to the fork with a magnet on the spokes, much like how a spedo works. The second will be a mercury tilt switch so that if the bike is moved not ridden away then it should pick this up. The OR gate will link to a bistable timer so that if neither sensors picks anything up every 30 secs the alarm stops.

The comments about GPS and Remotes with LCD screens are good but a little advanced for a GCSE project and my teacher probably wouldnt let me (though i may ask about doing an infared on/off remote). When it is all done i may well post the results and circuit diagrams on the forum so you can attempt to make it yourself!:lol:

Anyway thanks again, anymore comments or answers to the questionnaire would be very much appreiciated.

[Stealth]

Originally posted by Riven
Great response, thanks everyone.

Several coments about accidentally going off, i plan to have to sensor systems linked to an OR gate, one will be a reed switch (megnetic) which will be attached to the fork with a magnet on the spokes, much like how a spedo works. The second will be a mercury tilt switch so that if the bike is moved not ridden away then it should pick this up. The OR gate will link to a bistable timer so that if neither sensors picks anything up every 30 secs the alarm stops.

The comments about GPS and Remotes with LCD screens are good but a little advanced for a GCSE project and my teacher probably wouldnt let me (though i may ask about doing an infared on/off remote). When it is all done i may well post the results and circuit diagrams on the forum so you can attempt to make it yourself!:lol:

Anyway thanks again, anymore comments or answers to the questionnaire would be very much appreiciated.

Reed switch i've used quite a lot, that would work, and because it's small it can actually be inconspicuous, and even inside the frame!

Ummm, i don't know about the tilt switch, cause like Thunder said, if someone knocks it over or something or the wind blows it, then everything goes off... i'd say perhaps something that sets off the alarm if the wheel turns, say, more than 2 rotations in under 1 minute... which would be possible if you already have a speed sensor, people who try to steal it will just think it's a regular speedometer!

[Riven]

but like thunder also said, they may not be riding off with the bike, it may be lifted into a truck, so i think a tilt switch is still nessisary, tho i could make it adjustable or selectable

[Stealth]

but they might ride it, so it's worth it...

[Zeronet]

Well if they ride it, the alarm would go off anyway .