A pair of inventive students from Carmel Valley are taking the initiative to address a pressing community concern: e-bike safety. Naomi Mehl, a freshman at Canyon Crest Academy, and her teammate, Ahaan Pandey, an eighth grader at Pacific Trails Middle School, recently emerged as champions in both the state and regional levels of the eCYBERMISSION STEM competition. Their winning project involves the creation of a smart helmet equipped with sensors that can communicate with sensors on an e-bike. To ride the e-bike, the helmet must be worn securely on the rider’s head.
By securing first place in the state and regional competitions, Naomi and Ahaan have earned the opportunity to compete at the national level in Virginia later this year. Additionally, they have received a $5,000 Stem-in-Action grant to further develop their project and present their progress in 2025. Furthermore, if their team wins at the national event, they will be awarded an additional $96,000 in U.S. EE savings bonds.
The students’ inspiration for tackling the topic of e-bike safety stems from both personal experience and a tragic incident close to home. Like many kids in their neighborhood, Naomi and her younger brother frequently ride e-bikes. Unfortunately, the issue became more poignant when a fellow student, Brodee Champlain Kingman, lost his life after being hit by a car while riding an e-bike in Encinitas.
In their research, Naomi and Ahaan uncovered concerning statistics. E-bike injuries have risen by 70% between 2017 and 2020, with over 3,000 fatalities resulting from e-bike collisions in 2019 alone. A major problem lies in the fact that inexperienced young riders often fail to wear helmets. Only 44% of e-bike injury victims were wearing helmets at the time of their accidents, according to the students’ report.
To address this issue, the duo devised two solutions. Firstly, they created a device that ensures riders wear a helmet before starting the e-bike. Secondly, they aimed to increase awareness about e-bike safety among their peers. The students educated fellow students at their schools, attended a seminar in Encinitas, and gathered additional informational material from local law enforcement officials.
Throughout the project, Naomi and Ahaan received guidance and support from their advisor, Preetanshu Pandey, as well as experts in various fields, including Dr. Edward Wang from UCSD’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and Arav Chadha, a robotics specialist. While their prototype is not yet integrated into an actual e-bike, the students hope to continue refining their design and ultimately make a significant impact in enhancing e-bike safety.
The remarkable accomplishments of young innovators like Naomi and Ahaan reflect the potential for positive change that lies within today’s youth. Their dedication to STEM and their commitment to addressing real-world issues inspire a lasting enthusiasm for innovation in young learners. As they continue their journey, these students represent the architects of our future, poised to create extraordinary achievements in the realms of science and technology.
E-bikes have gained significant popularity in recent years, with more people choosing them as a mode of transportation. However, this rise in e-bike usage has also brought about concerns regarding safety. Recent statistics show a worrisome increase in e-bike injuries, with a 70% rise from 2017 to 2020. In 2019 alone, there were over 3,000 fatalities resulting from e-bike collisions. One of the main issues identified is the lack of helmet usage, as only 44% of e-bike injury victims were wearing helmets at the time of their accidents.
As exemplified by Carmel Valley students Naomi Mehl and Ahaan Pandey, there is a growing movement to address this pressing issue. The duo’s winning project in the eCYBERMISSION STEM competition involves the creation of a smart helmet that communicates with sensors on an e-bike. To ride the e-bike, the helmet must be worn securely on the rider’s head, ensuring that proper safety measures are taken.
Naomi and Ahaan’s achievement in both the state and regional levels of the competition has earned them the opportunity to compete nationally in Virginia later this year. In addition, they have received a $5,000 Stem-in-Action grant to further develop their project and present their progress in 2025. If they win at the national event, they will be awarded an additional $96,000 in U.S. EE savings bonds. These achievements highlight the recognition and support given to young innovators who are actively working towards improving e-bike safety.
The tragic incident of a fellow student losing his life while riding an e-bike in Encinitas served as a personal motivation for Naomi and Ahaan. Coupled with their personal experiences of regularly riding e-bikes, they were driven to conduct research and raise awareness about this pressing issue. Their findings indicate the need for increased awareness and proper safety precautions among young riders.
To address this, the students devised two solutions. Firstly, they developed a device that ensures riders wear a helmet before starting the e-bike. This measure aims to instill a safety-first mindset among e-bike riders. Secondly, they actively educated their peers about e-bike safety, disseminating information at their schools and attending seminars in their community. Collaboration with local law enforcement officials and guidance from experts in various fields also proved instrumental throughout the project.
While Naomi and Ahaan’s prototype is not yet integrated into an actual e-bike, their dedication and commitment to enhancing e-bike safety are evident. Their ongoing efforts to refine their design and make a significant impact in this area showcase the potential for positive change that lies within today’s youth. These young innovators serve as an inspiration for other students, fostering a lasting enthusiasm for STEM and innovation. As they forge ahead, Naomi and Ahaan embody the architects of our future, with the potential to achieve remarkable advancements in the realms of science and technology.
For more information about e-bikes and related industry trends, you can visit the following links:
– ebikesah.pdf
– electricbike.com
– electricbikeinsider.com
– ebikes.ca
– electricbikereview.com