Adaptive Cycling
Adaptive Cycling is any form of cycle adapted for people with disabilities. We are always looking to expand our knowledge and resources related to adaptive biking. Please reach out to us if you have suggestions or feedback!
HUB Webinar on Adaptive Biking, "Cycling for All Abilities"
What is adaptive cycling and who does it? Why don't we see more people using adaptive bikes on our roads and trails? Come learn about the innovative bikes and programs that are getting more disabled people cycling, and how you can help make cycling more inclusive.
This webinar (June 2021) features Jocelyn Maffin, an avid hand cyclist that believes everyone should have a bike. She works as the Manager of Information Resources at Spinal Cord Injury BC. In her spare time, Jocelyn is helping to build Handcycling BC, a community promoting adaptive cycling for recreation and working to reduce barriers to adaptive cycling in BC. This webinar was moderated by Navdeep Chhina, HUB Cycling’s Director of Campaigns and Inclusion.
Resources/Organizations:
- Handcycling BC Group: Handcycling Club BC brings together people using handcycles for racing, recreation, or traveling. They aim to share new bikes, routes, techniques, and maintenance
- Spinal Cord Injury BC: To help people with spinal cord injury (and related disabilities) and their families adjust, adapt, and thrive as they deal with a new injury or struggle with the ongoing challenges of living and aging with a physical disability. In 2022 SCI BC launched a new adaptive cycling program, find out more here.
- Handcycling Club of Canada: The goal is to increase awareness and participation in the sport of handcycling.
- BC Wheelchair Sports Association WC Road Racing Series: Since 1971, the BC Wheelchair Sports Association has helped people with physical disabilities across the province lead active, healthy lives through wheelchair sports. We are committed to being a strong advocate for athletes with a disability and working to reduce barriers to participation.
- Handcycle Facebook Group : good place to connect with other community members and get leads on used bike sales
- Cycling without Age
- Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (B.E.S.T): Metro Vancouver active transportation group that run programs like Seniors on the Move and Cycling without Age
- Want more information on e-bikes? HUB Cycling offers regular and free webinars on bikes
- Information on Provincial Sales Tax (PST) for bicycles and tricycles
- Information on e-bikes and Parkinsons Disease from the David Phinney Foundation
- Check out HUB Cycling's Education program for upcoming courses and webinars on bikes. HUB Cycling also provides adaptive bikes including trikes and recumbents for all our school cycling programs so that every child can participate.
Equipment:
Secondhand equipment is a great way to get started. Bike rental spots and hand-cycling clubs in your area may also provide you the opportunity to test equipment (e.g. tandem bikes, handcycles) before you invest. More information on places to source adaptive bikes below:
- List of Adaptive Bike Rentals in BC and Sellers
- Spinal Cord Injury BC Marketplace: https://sci-bc.ca/marketplace/
- Handcycling Club of Canada Buy and Sell: https://handcycling.ca/buy-sell/
- Facebook and Craigslist Market Place: search adaptive bike, handcycle, etc.
- Handcycle Rentals in BC: https://sci-bc.ca/resource/hand-cycle-rentals-in-bc/
- MoboCruiser - These are the bikes that HUB Cycling uses for its programs for children. They are fairly low to the ground & don't have gears, so not great for riding around any traffic or up hill
- VanRaam - Van Raam makes all kinds of interesting & high quality adaptive cycles.
- Flaghouse - adaptive bikes
- Utah Trikes: sell kits to turn your trike into an e-bike and also retrofits bikes into trikes for someone who can't find a trike to fit their needs
- RAD Innovations: adaptive bikes for all abilities
- Bike-on.com: Adaptive Bikes
- Friendship Circle: List of places to get adaptive bikes
- Canuks Autism Netrwork: Sports related programs for adults and children on the spectrum
- Kids Adaptive Bikes - HUB Cycling provides adaptive bikes including trikes and recumbents for all our school cycling programs so that every child can participate. Reach out to our education team for more information.
Contact us if we've missed anything or if you have any resources you'd like to share!
HUB Cycling Local Committees: HUB is always looking for voices of all ages and abilities to join our volunteer-driven local committees and lend their voice to making changes to improve biking across Metro Vancouver. Get in touch with the local committee in your neighborhood to highlight sections of your route that are particularly challenging that you would like to see action on, or join a monthly meeting!