Recumbent - lying down, reclining, leaning. MSU engineering students are using this approach to build a unique bicycle, thanks to MSU Bikes.

For the last few weeks, MSU mechanical engineering seniors have been collaborating to build a side-by-side tandem recumbent bicycle for one local man with disabilities. With the help of MSU Bikes Marketing & Sales Coordinator Tim Potter, who provided the students with the necessary parts, they can complete their project in stride.

"The MSU Bikes Service Center gave us old bikes and parts that they were recycling – they were a big help with our project," said Cliff Carlson, a senior mechanical engineering student who is working on the senior class project. "Without them, we would be way over budget ordering new parts."

Michelle Raetz and Kevin McAlpine, also mechanical engineering seniors, are working with Carlson on the project, which is assigned to a group of seniors every year. The seniors began planning for the project in mid-February, but didn't execute the plans until March.

"During spring break, we all stayed behind to get it going," said McAlpine.

Their project is due May 1, where they will present it to the public at the MSU Union as part of MSU College of Engineering's Design Day. Watch the interview with Michelle Raetz (below) for more information on the project.

Photo by Jill Emerson. (left to right: Michelle Raetz, Jon-Marc Eyer, Kevin McAlpine, Cliff Carlson and Tim Potter)

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April 2, 2009