Bicycles come in all shapes and sizes to suit different purposes and for people with a disability it’s no different.
While the stereotypes of bike riders include slim young people in lycra on road bikes or more muscular rugged types on mountain bikes, the reality is that bicycles can help everyone get healthier and provide some transport independence.
Disability assistive technology provider TADTas is helping more people to get riding through the Freedom Wheels program, bringing adapted bikes into the state to provide different levels of physical support according to individual needs.
The bikes are fitted to the person rather than being off the shelf so they can include a bar and belts to help riders sit upright, extra stabilising wheels and straps to keep feet on pedals. A tow bar at the front or back can be fitted so carers can help the riders along.
TADTas Recreational Development Coordinator Tom Hancock said the bikes were important tools for improving strength and balance.
“As the riders build their muscles and skill level some of these supports can be removed, which is part of the goal.
“We fit the bikes to riders at clinics we hold every couple of months and then once they are off and riding we do check ups and amend the bike supports as needed,” Tom said.
Volunteers needed
The clinics are overseen by a physiotherapist or occupational therapist but they need volunteers across the state to help out.
“We have about 15 volunteers at the moment but we’d ideally like to double that number,” Tom said.
“We’ve found people with engineering or bike-riding knowledge are the biggest help at the clinics, which are held every couple of months in each region: north, north-west and south.
“Volunteers could also help with the first few rides after the bike is delivered, to make sure everything is running smoothly.
“It’s a really rewarding experience for volunteers to see the joy on a child’s face riding a bike for the first time, or seeing how a bike can help someone over time gain that strength and confidence to be more independent,” Tom said.
TAD Australia has been around since 1975 when a group of engineers got together and started brainstorming ways to help people with disabilities to gain more independence. TADTas started in the late 1990s and began offering Freedom Wheels in 2010, one of the programs that has been developed to help more people get riding.
While many of its clients are children wanting to ride their first bike, they can also adapt adult bikes for people who have gained a disability later in life or didn’t get the chance to learn when they were younger.
Many people can buy the bikes through the National Disability Insurance Scheme and in the few cases where they don’t qualify, TASTas can look at utilising donated funds.
If you are interested in helping out at the clinics, get in contact with TADTas at info@tadtas.org.au.