Biking Assistive Technologies
Hand cycle
1. Bike-On.com. (1999). The hand cycle store. Retrieved from http://bike-on.com/
On this website there is a section where individuals can buy hand cycles. The website is
primary used for hand cycle sales but they also sell a bunch of other things like wheel
chairs, power assisted wheel chairs, extra wheels, and bicycles. They also have helpful
resources like hand cycle and wheel chair help forms. Right on the main page of the site
when you visit is the different types of hand cycles available.
2. At first glance the website does seem somewhat confusing but if you take a second to
look at all the different options and tabs most people would be able to figure out where to
find what they are looking for. The site is pretty low tech and doesn’t have a lot of
different selections.
3. Below is a picture of the website, also a picture of the assistive technology hand cycle.
4. A hand cycles is a human powered transportation device that uses arms instead of legs.
The type of assistive device would be used for an individual that is paraplegic, or those
who need the assistance of a wheel chair. Hand cycles have two sport wheels that are
slightly titled in the back and one large wheel in the front for balance and added stability.
It is also appropriate for individuals who can not balance on their own.
5. The prices for hand cycles were a lot higher than I imagined. They range from about
$2,000-$4,000. As useful as this type of assistive technology would be for people’s
leisure life, I don’t think this would be something that most people with impairments
could afford. Normal bicycles range from $60-$150 which would fit much easier into
someone’s budget, it’s a shame hand cycles don’t have similar pricing options. The hand
cycle, because of pricing seems like something that recreational facility would have a few
of and let participants share instead of something an individual own themselves, like with
bicycles.
Tandem Recumbent
1. Williams, D., (1998). The Bicycle Man. Retreived from
http://www.bicycleman.com/recumbents/tandems/tandems.htm
This site can used to research all the different types of tandem bicycles that are available. It is
used as a resource to help individuals purchasing tandem bikes know which bike is right for
them. On the home page selections can be made based upon price and comfort level of the
features. Once you select from the top three, the bikes are then broken into many more specific
levels of different types of bikes you can choose from there. Once selecting a type of bicycle
you are given a very detailed description of the bike and its features. This would be very helpful
for individuals with disabilities because they can read about all the feature and decide if the
bicycle would work with their limitations before they buy the device.
2. The site is full of very useful information, however it is not very accessible. All of the side tabs
that are commonly used to direct around the page, bring you to entirely different websites or
PDF pages. The site was frustrating even for me to be able to navigate so someone with a
mental disability wouldn’t be able to independently use the resource and get the most out of it.
3. Below is a picture of a tandem bicycle and a picture of the website I used.
4. A tandem bike is basically two bikes fused together. An example of how it could be used
would be an individual with a disability on the front and a therapist on the back. This way
the therapist can help with balance, steering, and breaking. This gives people the
opportunity to have the same bike feeling but without all the added responsibilities and
pressure if they have physical limitations.
5. There is a very extensive pricing list located on the site, with all of the different pricings
for brands and types. The least expensive bike on the page would be $800, from there
they increase to about $6000. Similar to hand cycles this wouldn’t be an assistive device
that most people would be able to afford to own personality. They may instead be able to
use one that a recreation center owns.
Tricycle
1. Belize bicycle. (2000). Tri-Rider Trikes. Retrieved from http://www.tririder.com/
The site has a description of all the different types of tricycles available on the home
page. On the left side there are pictures that correspond with links for each type of
tricycle. Once you click each link there is a detailed description of the type of bike with
pricing. On the left side of the home page there are other links for contact info, scooters,
and electric bicycles.
2. Out of all the Tricycle websites I visited this is the most simple to understand. The
website is very basic and low tech. The site isn’t overly decorated so it wouldn’t confuse
people who are trying to locate a certain type of bike. All the bikes have one link that
brings you to the page with all the importation you would need. I could understand it
within a few minutes, therefore I don’t think an individual with a mental disability would
have difficulty navigating the site independently as long as they were used to using the
computer.
3. Below is a picture of the website and a picture of a tricycle.
4. The site goes out of their way to ensure people that the tricycles are for adults, since most
people associate them with children, which I thought was beneficial. The added third wheel as
an adaptation helps with added balance and stability. This type of adaptation could be used for
senior adults or people with disabilities that are unable to balance on their own. The adaptation
helps alleviate any safety risks of falling from the bike. Some of the tricycles also have much
larger seats than the ones traditionally used on a bicycle. This would give a person that has
trouble holding themselves up more space to sit and hold on, and more effectively enjoy the
leisure experience of riding a bike.
5. The tricycles range about $500-$700, they are significantly cheaper than other adaptive bikes.
This type of adaptation, while still expensive, might be more practical for personal ownership.
Bike Pedal straps
1. Sportsmith. (1995). Pedal Straps. Retreived from
http://www.sportsmith.net/productsearch.aspx?dsNav=N:751017
The website I found would be used for people interesting in buying bike pedal straps, instead of
a resource used to learn about them. Bike pedal straps are a category off the home page. On the
page, and individual can scroll through the options for the different types of bike pedals for sale.
On the left side of the page you can narrow your search by the type of bike you have.
2. This site is very simple, it’s not confusing or hard to use at all. Someone with a disability could
easily navigate this page independently. It is helpful that the site designer made the website so
simple. Assistive technology isn’t useful if people who need the products aren’t able to easily
access them.
3. Below is a picture of the webpage and of the assistive technology strap.
4. A back strap is a piece of adaptive technology usually made of plastic, leather or rubber. It
attaches to the pedal of the bike to hold the individuals foot in place while using a bike. It allows
someone to keep their feet in place so they can independently operate their bicycles. This is a
relatively low tech piece of technology but it very beneficial for people who have limited control
over lower extremities. Some pedal straps are simple with just one piece, others are more high
tech with multiple buckles or metal clips. There are also Velcro pedal straps. The type of strap an
individual would need would be based upon how much support is needed to effectively move
the pedal.
5. Pedal straps are low tech, so they are pretty cheap. They range from $2-$35, so almost all
individuals would be able to own and use this on their personal bike. It is beneficial that there
are cheap versions of pedal straps so everyone has the chance to own the adaptation if needed.
Most adaptations to bicycles are expensive so it’s good there are different options that will work
just as effectively.
Quad Cycles
1. http://www.angelfire.com/wa3/quadcycles/ The site describes themselves as the official
website for quad cycles. On the home back is the sites mission statement and a small paragraph
describing new merchandise. On the left side of the page is the link a manufacturer, this link
brings you to a page with all the different types of quad cycles available. Once selecting a bike
from this page, you are brought to a page with an extremely detailed description of the
features.
2. At first glance the sight seemed pretty straight forward and not confusing, however once surfing
around the sight more I determined this was untrue. Some of the links are broken, also all of the
description pages have completely different formats, and this would be very confusing for
someone with a mental disability.
3. Below is a picture of the website, and the assistive technology.
4. There are lots of different versions of the quad cycle, basically it is a bicycle with a large
modified seat with four seats. These types of modifications would make it possible for an
individual with a severe physical disability to enjoy the leisure activity of cycling. The four wheels
make the cycle very stable, the bikes are also low to the ground so if an individual did fall from
the bike it wouldn’t be as traumatic.
5. Prices for the quad cycle range from $300-$700. This type of assistive technology is similar to
others like the hand cycle, they are expensive and not as practical for personal ownership. I find
this pricing to be a shame, this type of device would be such a benefit for individuals with
severe disability that don’t have the option of using other devices.