You call that a bike? This is a bike!
Monash Human Power (MHP), a student-led engineering team from Monash University have set a new Australian record for human powered vehicles.
When most people think of “human powered vehicles”, they think bicycles, three-wheel recliners, and paddle-boats. Not the MHP team. It was clear that to them, those words meant rocket.
Their 2023 bike, nicknamed Bilby, is the third they have built and features extensive modifications to the frame, drivetrain and external shell, which have been extensively tested in the Monash wind tunnel.
This year the team took their bike to the World Human Powered Speed Challenge held on the table top flats of the aptly named “Battle Mountain in Nevada.” It was on those plains that the team, powered by the steel legs of Kit Kirby and Alastair Haslam, launched themselves into the record books.
Though both riders would break the old record it was Kit who reached the speed of 116.39kmh to set the new benchmark. Astonishingly, it wasn’t the only prize Kit received at the competition.
“The test location is state route 305 with a speed limit of 70 mph so after the speed trials this year, powered solely by my own two legs, I had the rare thrill of being ceremoniously delivered a speeding ticket!
Team CEO Sydney Buntine spoke glowingly of the team's achievement.
“I am so proud of the whole team, but reaching speeds of 116.39 kmh is just the beginning of what we are capable of!”
Not satisfied with “just” an Australian record, the team has set its sight on the world record.
“We’re designing and engineering our Version 4 bike so we move straight into analysing our results and how we can improve the next model” shared Jessica Mark, team Chief Operating Officer.
The HPV team finished 2nd in the men’s single-track competition, falling only to former world professional track cycling champion François Pervis.
The success of the team reflects the hard work and dedication of the team, but also the continued support of the Monash Faculty of Engineering and the team’s industry sponsors.