Smart Cycling = Fun Cycling
Riding on my bike Autonomy and union Become resolved By C.M.
Chris Menton is professor emeritus at Roger Williams University. He is a student of the bicycle. He rides bicycles to get to work, to explore states and countries, to run errands and a number of other activities. He conducted the first research study of police bicycle patrols, is a nationally certified cycling instructor and a member of the Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition board of directors. He has designed innovative cycles and bikeways. With the increased urgency for zero emission this lifelong avocation has increased importance.
Recently completed National Highway Institute Bicycle Facility Design, Training Course.
Bicycle Education Course
Certified League of American Cyclist Instructor.
Offering a range of bicycle lessons: basic how-to-ride to advanced riding skills, for people very young to rather senior.
For more info contact [email protected]
Prison bike proposal material in development
Advocacy
RWU to Bristol Center Bike Path project.
Princeton Review Response 2019
The Companion Cycle:
BRISTOL, R.I. – This isn’t your grandfather’s bicycle built for two.
This is the Companion Cycle, an electric-power-assisted three-wheeled cycle built for two – with the passenger positioned in front of the person providing the pedal power.
It was designed by Roger Williams University Professor of Criminal Justice Chris Menton, who has conducted ground-breaking research on police bicycle patrols. And it was built by nine RWU engineering students who worked on it as their senior project under the direction of Assistant Professor of Engineering William Palm.
“I like to facilitate experiential learning,” Menton said. “The students learned that they can develop alternative means of transportation. And they get to understand the physics of a bicycle.”
The prototype of the Companion Cycle includes the frame of a Giant road bike, and the rear tire is a Copenhagen Wheel, which provides an electronic boost while sensing steeper terrain and how hard the rider is pedaling.
Menton said he waited three years to get a Copenhagen Wheel, which is patented by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and produced by Superpedestrian, based in Cambridge, Mass. The wheel’s lithium battery can remain charged for 30 minutes or more, depending on whether there’s a passenger, and riders can generate electricity by pedaling backward.
While pedicabs place passengers behind the bike rider, the Companion Cycle puts the passenger seat in front on the handle bars. The prototype features a comfortable red-and-black go-kart seat for the passenger, complete with a seat belt.
Menton, who lives in Bristol and commutes on the Companion Cycle, said he has taken passengers up steep hills in town, and it feels like he’s riding on flat ground. The Copenhagen Wheel is controlled by a mobile phone app, and it can be set to provide varying degrees of assistance: economy, standard and turbo.
Like your grandfather’s bicycle built for two, the Companion Cycle can bring people together. “People should be talking to each other,” Menton said. “It’s tough to have a conversation when you’re on separate bikes. And we’re in a world where people often have their heads down, looking at screens.”
Wherever it goes, the Companion Cycle often gets people talking. “It’s a novelty,” Menton said. “It starts conversations. It’s a people magnet.”
And it has practical applications. “It can be used by a person who can’t afford a car — to get groceries, to do laundry,” Menton said. “It’s a nice urban tool. And it can be used by people who are too old to ride a regular bicycle, who might lose their balance.”
Looking ahead, Menton sees more development possibilities for the Companion Cycle, such as adjustments in materials and mechanics. He said he’d like to get more people to try to the cycle, either as a pedaler or a passenger, and to chronicle their reactions.
If you are on RWU’s Bristol campus and would like to try the Companion Cycle, contact Professor Menton at [email protected].
College Level Instruction
Education
League Cycling Instructors certification – 2018
League of American Bicyclists: Teach people of all ages to safely bike.
Copenhagen Wheel Test Ride Event – Superpedestrian, Inc. 2013
Prepared responds to Princeton Review reporting level of bike accommodation of the University – RWU Division of Institutional Research. 2017 – 2019
Designed and consulted in the development of the Companion Cycle 2017
A Roger Williams University, School of Engineering, Computing and Construction Management senior project: Producing a prototype pedal assist passenger capable cycle.
Roger Williams University Justice System Training & Research Institute Grant: The Effectiveness of Bicycle Patrols versus Foot and Automobile Patrols. June 2005
Presentations
Moderated an academic discussion titled “Does Riding a Bike Make Us More Human?” At Roger Williams University Main Library, 2020
“The Companion Cycle” A short video with narrative. Produced by Professor Murray McMillan, 2019
Conducted adult bike training – Jump Bike Providence, Lifespan Health System and Tufts Health Plan, 2018
“Closing the gap between the community and the police” 2010 Stockholm Criminology Symposium
“Tools for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Law Enforcement” Lifesavers 2009 National Conference on Highway Safety Priorities
“Chiefs, Fuel Costs and Police Patrols on Bicycles” Northeastern Association of Criminal Justice Science 2008 conference
“Effectiveness of Bike Patrols: The Administrator’s Perspective”, International Police Mountain Bike Association 2007 conference
“Examining the Effectiveness of Police Bicycle Patrols.” New England Association of Chiefs of Police 2006 Conference
“Wheels of Justice: The Effectiveness of Police Patrols on Bicycles” Northeastern Association of Criminal Justice Science 2008 conference
Conducted workshop titled “Proving the effectiveness of bike patrols.” International Police Mountain Bike Association 2006 conference
Roll out support of Hubway, Boston’s initial bike share program 2008
Instructor Boston Public School Bike Education Program 1987
Publications
Menton, C., “Bike Safety” (2016) Magazine Apraça (Time Square)
Menton, C., “Bicycle Patrol” (2008) American Bicyclist July/August pp. 20-23
Menton, C., “Bicycle Patrols: An Underutilized Resource” (2008) Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management Vol. 31 No. 1 pp. 93-108
Menton, C., “Bicycle Patrols versus Automobile Patrols” Law and Order Magazine. June 2007 p.78-81
Menton, C., “Examining the Effectiveness of Bicycle Patrols Versus Automobile Patrols in Charlotte North Carolina, and Hartford, Connecticut” Law Enforcement Executive Forum. 2006 6(5)
Membership
Member of the Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition – Advocacy Committee. 2017-present
Member of the Rhode Island Bicycle Coalition – Board of Directors, 2019 – present
League of American Bicyclist – League Cycling Instructors certification – 2018
American Bicycling Education Association – Cycling Savvy training – 2018
Adventure Cycling Association – 2019
Formerly
Charles River Wheelman
Seven Hills Wheelman
Narragansett Bay Wheelman
Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition
Other Bike-Related Activity
Bicycle commuter – this is the bike riding activity most closely related to sustainability and economic impact. Since college have regularly commuted distances as high as 32 miles a day. Current regular commute is 11 miles total. Anthropologist Marc Augé sites the substantial substitution of the bike in urban commutes in a number of cities.
Proponent Bicycle Commuting – Noting my work place has no perceive safe, non-motorized means to access for employees and patrons a campaign has been embarked. Newspaper articles (3) have been published noting this need. Constituents of the University and the community had voiced support. Both Faculty and Student Senates have passed motions advocating for a safe way to bike to campus. Any department contacted has promised to support a safe, human powered transportation.
Student of the Bicycle – Done extensive study of the bike. Developed a post secondary level course scheduled to be offered summer 2020. Studied and worked on a number of bike variants.
Prison Bike Repair Program (in development) – With the Rhode Island Department of Corrections seeking to establish this program in a medium security correctional institution.
Police Bicycle Patrol Researcher – Conducted foundational investigation of police use for bikes. The resulting publications are cited in textbooks, academic, professional and popular publications. George Kelling, father of community policing call this work revolutionary.
Recreational and Bike Touring Riding – Explored cities and country sides in 20 states and 8 countries. Have utilized a number of tour variations. Familiar with Bike Barge tours, Self-guided tours, single sight looping tours and self-constructed multi sight tours.
In 1980 was the first bike over the Newport Pell Bridge in the celebration of the 100th year anniversary of the founding of the League of American Wheelmen (now the League of American Bicyclist)
In 1981 Won the 3rd annual Boston Commuter Marathon an illustrative event highlighting environmental considerations in transportation.
