Hello, WorldBikers!

Just found your website and forum. Reason to ask your attention and ask for comments on the contraption I created for Demotech. I published the idea and pictures of "The Load Rack To Be Made At The Spor" at Demotech's website

http://www.demotech.org/d-design/designA.php?d=6

You conplain that donated bikes are unsuitable for large loads. Yes, I agree, but it will take you a very short time and only some sticks and rope to change the little lady's bike into a strong carrier.

I am an experienced bike-user....it seems to me that the World Bike design would be more effective with ATB (commonly known as "mountain bike") wheels. Wheels that size are stronger, have lower axles and use wider tires. The wider tires (not necessarily knobby) work better in soft materials but are also fine on pavement and absorb more shock on rough surfaces. I know you have many other considerations that I may not be aware of, but I could not help but wonder this upon viewing the project.

I have been thinking about using an Open Source licence for various other inventions that could be used by people in poor countries.  So I am curious about the Open Source licence you have for the World Bike.  For instance how do you prevent someone else from copying the design and applying a patent on the bike?

 Can you make the contents of the Open Source licence public?  Can the Open Source licence be applied to other devices?

 Cheers,

Martin.