Cycling with a Disability
We make it possible with specialised bikes and training.
Cycling is a real possibility for people with disabilities. Many do not realise that cycling is an option for them. With the support of family, carers or therapists, you do not need to have leg movement to ride our trikes. Some of our clients are transferred onto their trike and require postural supports. We can fit high support trikes for clients with high needs. We also cater for clients with mild motor or balance issue and those with intellectual or other disabilities. We see clients with all levels and types of disabilities.
We custom configure each tricycle or bicycle to the exact needs of the client. We have developed a comprehensive range of supports and options from which we piece together carefully selected components to create a customised solution for
every client. Our options include trikes, bikes, recumbents, handcycles, piggybacks, tandem wheelchairs and wheelchair carriers.
We cant tell you how many times we hear the word “impossible” just before a fitting. Whilst we cant promise there wont be a first time, we can tell you that after nearly 900 fittings, many for people with high support needs, we have yet to meet a person that could not ride a trike.
Most of us are aware of the exercise and health benefits of cycling. In addition to this the therapeutic benefits for people with disabilities
are outstanding. Cycling provides for cardio exercise, tone building, strengthening, movement, balance, coordination and stimulation. Cycling offers the opportunity to move, to get out their chair, to participate in a common childhood activity, to be included in social structures and to actively participate in family outings. The sense of achievement, increased independence and sheer enjoyment are some of the most positive outcomes of getting on a trike or bike.
For adults, a trike can bring a new level of independence after years of relying on others for transport. All trikes can be fitted with electric assistance that allows you to pedal as much as you can and the electric assistance takes over the rest of the load, allowing you to gradually build up strength, or stop pedalling entirely if you become tired.
Many of the children we see just need some extra stability, have slight planning or motor difficulties or trouble coordinating all of the required skills at once. Some of these children will require a bike with minor modifications or when appropriate they will be referred to our I Can Ride program to learn to ride a regular bike so they never need a modified bike. About 35% of children referred to us by their therapist for a modified bike are referred on to the I Can Ride program. I Can Ride has a 100% success rate.
Our postural supports range from a basic lumbar to full trunk and head support. We combine our range of frames with different riding positions with different seats, supports, harnesses, straps, handlebars, hand straps and foot supports to produce a carefully thought out configuration for every client.
While most of our referrals come from allied health professionals, clients can contact us directly and you do not need a referral to use our service. Initial fittings are free with no obligations. Physiotherapists, OTs and key therapists are encouraged to attend all fittings.
As a charitable service we are able to provide our trikes and bikes for reduced prices on a cost recovery basis. For families requiring financial assistance we can advise you of options for grants and charitable funding.