Aldermans helps Plymouth College student develop innovative child’s bike seat

Aldermans has helped a Plymouth College student develop an innovative new product to help families get out on their bikes.

Aldermans has helped a Plymouth College student develop an innovative new product to help families get out on their bikes.

Gabriel Roberts, who is studying for an International Baccalaureate at Plymouth College, worked with Aldermans to develop a component for a child’s bike seat designed for a foldable pushbike.

The idea for the product came from Jeremy Pascoe, a Plymouth College parent and freelance designer.

Gabriel Roberts worked with Alderman Tooling managing director Karen Friendship and engineering apprentice Ki Lockyear to develop 3D CAD drawings for the nylon block used to hold the seat in place. Aldermans then agreed to manufacture the component prototype, which was milled in Aldermans’ toolroom, free of charge.

“It was really interesting to speak with someone who actually works in the manufacturing and design industry and the drawings have shown me the depth of detail that is needed to produce a functional component,” says Gabriel.

After testing the product, Gabriel was pleased to report that the bike seat “worked in the way we intended and felt very sturdy”. The Plymouth student is now preparing for his final presentation of the product, which has been cut, painted and engraved by Plymouth firm Woodworkx 2 Composite.

Without the help of Aldermans “it would not have been possible to reach the stage I am at now with my design,” Gabriel adds.