Teesside’s role in innovative new product for cyclists

Teesside University has played a vital role in the development of an innovative new product to provide a solution to the problem of cold hands for cyclists.

BreezeBlockers offer a range of aerodynamic bike shields suitable for competitive, leisure or commuting cyclists, designed to provide protection for hands and feet in cold, wet and windy weather.

Matt Garnett, who runs Newcastle business BreezeBlockers, engaged Teesside University through a consultancy to test a product created to protect cyclists’ hands from the cold.

He said: 'I used to do a lot of commuting by cycle in the winter and competed in road racing events at an amateur level. I tried wearing different gloves to try and keep my hands warm, but it was always a problem until I adapted a plastic milk carton to block the wind and cold air from my hands.'

Having found this initial idea successful, Matt spoke to other cyclists and found that keeping hands warm was a common problem.

He said: 'I developed the prototype and my wife has experience in business start up, so we researched patents and came up with the name of the product, which is now also the name of our business.'

While designing prototypes, they approached Business Link for help to get their business off the ground. They were successful in winning an Innovation Voucher, which gave them the opportunity to work with two universities to develop their innovative idea.

BreezeBlockers engaged with two universities, Durham University where they tested the aerodynamics of the product with wind tunnel testing and Teesside University, where the functionality of the product was tested in the University’s environmental chamber.

The environmental chamber can simulate almost any environment on earth, is often used for athletes to experience extreme environmental conditions. The chamber can also be used to test clothing, equipment and occupational tasks in extremes of temperature in a scientifically controlled environment.

The tests at Teesside showed the product can allow cyclists to train for longer by reducing levels of perceived exertion and lowering blood lactate levels. Because cyclists also felt warmer, there was no need for bulky gloves which reduce hand movement. Teesside academics also provided expertise in the interpretation and analysis of results.

Matt said: 'Using the University’s facilities was instrumental in allowing us to get the scientific testing to support the proven benefits of the product. Without access to the environmental chamber it would have been hard for us to make the claims about the product keeping the cyclist warm.

'The results of the tests proved the product to be very effective as users felt it provided a physical and psychological improvement to their cycling.'

He added: 'Since testing our initial product for racing bikes, we now have other products for mountain bikes and commuting bikes. We have also developed a foot shield that keeps the feet warm. We’ve had product reviews in the cycling press and developed links with a UK distributor and also a distributor in Germany to branch out with the product across Europe.

'The feedback which we’ve had is that it’s a great product and people can’t believe how effective the shields are. We have been trading with a range of products since October 2010, and continue to develop new products to add to our existing range.'

Laura Woods, Director of Academic Enterprise at Teesside University, said: 'This is a great example of how specialist university expertise can help a business to develop. It's something that can be applied to companies of any size, from micro-businesses to multinationals.

'Teesside University consultancy services offer expertise, ranging from forensic science and materials testing, to industrial design, data security, market development and software architecture. Working with a university really can make a difference to a company’s bottom line.'

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