Source: 2008.02.13  Cal Poly News

SAN LUIS OBISPO – A Cal Poly Industrial Technology instructor and graduate students of the Orfalea College of Business are set to begin testing the riding comfort of a newly developed off-road tricycle, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 15 and 16.  Cal Poly Industrial Technology (IT) instructor Adam Stephens designed a new long-travel, full suspension off-road tricycle as part of his graduate work while at Cal Poly. Stephens fabricated the trike to absorb shock, rather than the rider. For the frame he used an aircraft-grade aluminum alloy to keep the trike light, provide rigidity in an off-road environment and allow it to track well….“The idea was to design a vehicle that would allow people with back
problems the ability to navigate off-road terrain in comfort.” The 26 year-old instructor suffers from chronic back pain due to a compressed disc – he missed a landing after jumping off a sand cliff on a
bicycle….The ‘Berserker’ sports two front wheels and one rear, all with their own shock absorber. It also uses larger front wheels than most traditional tricycles. The handle bars are positioned under the seat and the rider pedals with their feet in a reclined position.