Services
Specialised Bike Fittings
A bike fitting is a consultation held at our office using our trial bikes. The purpose of the consultation is to determine the most suitable bike or trike for the client. Every bike we supply is custom configured to exactly meet the unique needs of the client.
There is no limit on the number of fittings each client can have. Everyone has an initial fitting and final fitting, sometimes an additional fitting is required. You do not need a referral for a bike fitting but it is essential that you make an appointment.
We welcome and encourage treating therapists to attend fittings.
What to Expect at a Fitting
Clients need closed in shoes, preferably sneakers or runners.
Please also bring any of the following that apply:
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AFOs
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Prescription shoes
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Neck support
We get to know the client, discuss medical concerns and conditions particularly in areas of the body most relevant for bike riding and learn about any past experiences with bike riding.
Often we can obtain everything we need to know from your answers and observation of the client, we may also ask to take measurements or conduct checks on things like movement or ability. We use this information to determine the required riding position, supports and other components.
A trial bike or trike is then custom configured and assembled on the spot. The client is fitted on the bike/trike and takes it for a test ride.
The test ride is essential because this is when we do the most important checks on position, alignment and movement while the client is moving. We might stop to readjust things a couple of times and trial again. We will take a video and photo during the test ride (with consent). This is needed for our purposes when building the bike or trike you will take home. You can choose to allow us to use your video and photo on our website and/or Facebook page.
There are always multiple components and configurations to choose from which depend on how and where you plan to use the bike/trike. We will explain all available options and help you decide. If the client will be riding independently, we also conduct a riding skills assessment. We might recommend some exercises to improve the client's safe riding skills at home. If we believe the client can learn to ride a standard bike and will not need a modified bike, we will discuss the option of attending our riding lessons. A rough indication of cost will be given at the fitting so we can discuss options for funding and provide advice. An exact quote is prepared and sent after the fitting.
If you have a regular therapist please give them the opportunity to attend the fitting as we encourage all OTs, Physios and key therapists to attend. If your therapist is not able to attend, we will contact them to provide fitting notes and explain our recommendations.
"I Can Ride" Lessons
"I Can Ride" is the only known program in the world that uses specially designed training exercises and training bikes to teach children with disabilities to ride a standard bike.
The purpose of the program is avoid the need for a modified bike and learn to ride a normal bike. Many of the children referred to us by their physiotherapist for a modified bike end up riding a normal bike. Each child uses 4 different training bikes of different configurations to learn to ride as they progress through our exercises. The program does not teach children to ride without training wheels, it is for children who are unable to learn to pedal properly or struggling with steering and braking. Advice can be
given about learning to ride without training wheels, please call us to discuss your child as there are many methods and every child is different.
Lessons are one-on-one and run for 30 to 90 minutes depending on the child. Children aged 3-4 will require up to 5 lessons. Children aged 5-7 require one or two lessons. So far all children over 8 have learnt to ride in one lesson.
Please contact us for pricing and to book.
Assessment and Recommendation Reports
A fitting report can be provided to the client's surgeon, specialist, primary therapist or other medical practitioner which explains our assessment findings and reasoning for the configuration and features recommended.
The report usually references an accompanying video. Fitting reports are provided on request and are usually only needed when the bike/trike will be part of a rehabilitation program or for clients with very complex medical needs and multiple factors to consider.
A fee of $100 applies for written reports. This does not apply to simply contacting your therapist to explain fitting and recommendations when they could not attend which is not a formal written report.