To improve rider safety and physical limitations I have chosen to add bindings similar to those found on snowboards, these keep the rider attached to the board during a crash, stopping the board from becoming a projectile that could endanger other riders. The bindings are designed for use with solid, ski boot style boots because they provide great ankle protection. The bindings also act as a mechanism to stop riders who are not properly protected from using the board (riders would be required to wear a full face helmet, solid boots, gloves and full body armour). The bindings will be attached by rails embedded into a rotational circular plate which allows the angle to be varied according to the riders preference. The rails allow the distance between the front and rear parts of the binding to be moved and accommodate different boot sizes. The front foot binding has limited swivel because this allows slight foot rotation which is used to steer the board’s two wheels via electronic servos. Because electronic steering servos have no physical link to the wheels they don’t transfer potentially damaging force back to the rider’s ankle which can be caused by hitting objects on the track or riding over a rough surface. The riders boots are locked into the bingings by pushing the toe of the boot into the toe of the binding, the heel of the binding is then unlocked by pushing down on the spring loaded locks directly on either side, it can then be rotated slightly to allow the heel of the boot to be inserted. to totally lock the boot inplace the rider rotates their foot untill the heel of the binding allows the locks to return to the vertical position they started in. To relese the rider pushes on the locks at the heel of the binding and rotates the boot free. Aesthetically the bindings match the style and colour of the board and their small profile reinforces the dynamic aesthetic of the board.
I am aware that using bindings restricts thiders mobility howerver because the board is equipped with a long wheel base and wide wheels the board will remain stable through all phases of riding provided the rider shifts their weight appropriately.
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