I had my last regular day working at the #Adaptive Cycling Center, so how about a brief rundown on adaptive bikes!
I was hired to work for Outdoors for All in the ACC for May-Sept, and I'd like to document my crash course on working to get people with disabilities or injuries out and about on an #AdaptiveBike.
So what IS #AdaptiveCycling? Follow along and AMA!
I’ll preface this by saying I’m approaching this as a way of sharing the knowledge and understanding from an Adaptive Cycling Center with 10 years of operation.
This has involved listening to people’s needs and preferences, and I’m simply sharing what has worked for many people.
It’s important to listen to people with disabilities and I expect others to have much more to add! #AdaptiveCycling
Bikes are a great way for almost anyone to move around and participate in outdoor activities.
Many times a bike can be an easier tool than getting from transit or car to a final destination.
People with a disability or injury can use bicycles that are adapted to their needs.
Adaptations are different ways to adjust the basic bicycle to fit the way we use it best, either in design or adding on extra features.
People can use an adaptation to ride on their own or with others. #AdaptiveBike
The simplest #adaptation is adjusting the basic design to be more stable, such as a low-step-through frame which is much more forgiving for the person riding. This can help for getting on, and when you need to put your foot down to catch yourself.
A tricycle, or 3-wheeled bike, can help even more with balance.
A #trike can be especially useful if you need time to get situated, need assistance, or have other adaptations such as straps to adjust. #AdaptiveBike
There are many kinds of trikes. Some:
Upright Trikes - in which you sit above the pedals like a standard two-wheeleed bike.
Reclined Trikes - sometimes called Delta Trikes, as you’re more reclined than an upright trike, and have one front wheel, with two in back.
Recumbent Trikes - very reclined and sometimes called Tadpole Trikes, as they have two wheels in the front, and one in the back.
Therapy Trikes - a fixed-gear trike that can help build muscle memory for pedaling.
Another type are #Handcycles - set up so the rider controls and provides movement with their hands. This can include movement, turning, and breaking.
These can be good for people who use wheelchairs, but many people can make good use of a handcycle.
These can be set up similar to any of the previously described types of trikes. There can be upright, reclined, and even e-assist mountain handcycles!
Tandems are bikes which can carry two or more people, and can be a great way to both experience riding together, and to support someone who may need assistance.
#Tandem Trikes or Quads can be a good way to provide support and share the experience, and can be either in-line, side-by-side, or towed.
Some tandems can put the person needing an adaptation first, which can be very unique! They can have rear-steering and controls.
Did I miss anything? Bikes are really cool as people can relatively easily prototype and hack stuff together on their own to meet their needs.
People can whip up their own #Adaptations and get out riding pretty easily, so this isn't intended to be definitive.
There are also so many small ways to make your bike work for you, too.
I've also already received some useful feedback, and thanks - this will get refined, and I'm happy to learn more!
Tandem bikes are bikes where two or more people ride in a line one in front of the other. (We use the same word for tandem trailers and historically for tandem horses).
The world of bicycles, there are many forms of multi-rider bikes that aren't tandem, and you've shown a one here in the side by side bike, or...my favourite terms for it: sociable or buddy bike. My favourite term, because it really makes clear why it's such a wonderful machine.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociable
Bikes really do come in so many forms, that allow so many people to experience the joys of cycling.
Forrest
Daniel Brotherston