Disability & Cycling
Introduction
The article 'A rolling walking stick': why do so many disabled people cycle in Cambridge? explains that "Riding a bike may be easier than walking for two-thirds of disabled cyclists, but they often remain invisible to society. Many don’t realize that more than a quarter of disabled commutes in this university city are made by bike"
The video below is a 7:39 minute video designed to educate about how bikes provide freedom and self sufficiency to people with visible and invisible health conditions.
Information like this is important to understand while advocating for or planning the expansion and improvement of car-free infrastructure. Able-bodied cyclists might have the ability to dismount and lift their bike on or off a curb, around a badly placed utility post, over a ditch, or other common barriers, but not everyone in the community can enjoy such luxuries. When we design and plan, we need to assume that disabled, very young, or inexperienced users can be seriously harmed or killed by poorly planned infrastructure.
Benefits of Safe Cycling Spaces
Safe cycling spaces benefit the entire community, but are perhaps most beneficial to those who face mobility, lung, and other health issues.
Greenways
These serve a multitude of functions from absorbing the impacts of flooding, providing connectivity/homes/resources for wildlife, and helping people safely travel through their communities without risk of harm from motorized traffic.
This 2 minute video, East Coast Greenway | Safe Greenways Are Essential explains the value of areas separated from traffic for people to both avoid accidents, enjoy life while struggling with health issues, and have a safe place to recover from traumatic events.
Click the Greenbelts button to learn about existing greenways, and more.
Disability-Friendly Equipment
This section is to help people find products that can allow them to ride safely and comfortably, as well as grant to help families afford needed equipment:
International
Alinker "The Alinker is a revolution in walk assists. It is a three wheeled self-propelled walking bike, designed for the user experience. The Alinker is a non-motorized walking-bike without pedals. The Alinker is for people who want to maintain an active life regardless of mobility challenges. The Alinker is challenging assumptions about people with disabilities and is building an inclusive community."
Africa
South Africa
Koose Tricycles "is a well-established South African brand, starting with designing tricycles in 1991 and a company in 1999. The owner, Koos Engelbrecht has many years of experience in sport for disabled nationally and internationally."
Europe
Netherlands
Vanraam "Let's all cycle" "An adult, who is no longer able to ride on a regular two-wheel bike is looking for an appropriate and safe alternative. A trike for disabled adults from Van Raam is an environmentally friendly solution and specially designed for you. By using various options, modifications and accessories, they give extra support and stability while cycling. Because everyone is different and every individual has different needs, we offer more than one trike for disabled adults to help and give a safe alternative for everyone. Find out more about the safe alternatives: a trike for disabled adults." Auf Deutsch
UK
Grants for Trikes (might only be for people in the UK?)
Tomcat Special Needs Innovations Ltd "This business was created out of the desire to help just one little boy experience the joy, normality and freedom of exploring the outdoors on wheels.
Tomcat’s founder, Bob Griffin quickly discovered that no other company manufactured trikes of the right design to properly support physical disabilities.
It began a journey of discovery and invention that’s spanned more than two decades and resulted in creating life-changing solutions for over 10,000 people of all ages."
Resources related to Activism/Biking and Disabilities
Tomcat Case Studies - These personalized stories of how cycling has helped people gain or regain independence may people with disabilities, researchers, designers, manufacturers, communities, and families make informed decisions about topics including equipment, community designs, and community programs..
Rooted in Rights - "In the spirit of the disability community’s motto, “nothing about us without us,” we believe that disabled people should be the ones writing, producing, shooting, and editing our own stories. Through our storytellers program and storytelling workshops, we train disabled people who are new to video advocacy about how to use video storytelling to push for progress and influence change. We also work with disabled writers to edit and publish their stories on our blog. Through digital organizing, we build community and amplify the messages of disabled storytellers who challenge stigmas and advocate for change. The stories reflect the views of the authors and not necessarily those of Disability Rights Washington. "
Organizations
North America
USA
National Complete Streets Coalition News of complete streets activities from around the country and proposed federal legislation plus resources including fact sheets and a PowerPoint presentation.
Grants & Funding
Click the Grants for Bikes & Trikes button to learn about what might be available in your area.