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Hiking and Biking
Fresh Air, Sunshine,
and a Hike
Get a hold of a mobility map from your local forest preserve or
nature trails. Not all have mobility maps, but most forest preserves
have some paved paths and picnic areas. Your local bureau of tourism
can help you locate paved or accessible areas. Or, consider one
of America's 375 national parks. More paved paths were added to
national parks since the passing of the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990; guidelines for recreation areas continue to be refined
each year by the Access Board. Park volunteers assist visitors in
any number of ways, and some speak foreign languages or American
Sign Language.
Adapted Bicycles
People with leg weakness may still be able to ride a bike, albeit
an adapted bike. Are you aware of hand-cycles that you power with
your arms and hands instead of your legs? Recumbent bicycles are
also a good option, especially because it's a whole lot easier to
stay in the seat, as well as maintain balance. Speaking of balance,
tricycles are made for adults in very slick-looking models these
days. Bicycles are even custom-made at a lot more places. The only
drawback may be the price tag but being able to ride a bicycle is
priceless to a lot of people, including parents of special needs
kids.
If you're interested in exploring the possibility
of using an adapted bike, look on the Internet under "adaptive
bicycles" and try to find a shop near you. Be persistent in
your search because, as you'd expect, they're much less common than
regular mainstream bike shops. Ask about adapted bicycles at larger
bicycle dealers as well. When you find a place near you, go and
visit with a friend and keep an open mind—just have fun, whether
peddling or looking!
Here's one in St. Charles, Illinois that takes
an adaptive spin on the Bike Rack:
Creative Mobility
http://thebikerack.com/site/page.cfm?PageID=82.
Seating, adaptations and modifications are only part of the services;
all types of adapted bicycles available.
Cycling & Trikes
(for people with disabilities)
http://www.achievableconcepts.us/usa_cycling.htm
Trikes, hand cycles, outriggers, etc.
Family Village
http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/at/handcycles.html
Lists numerous adaptive bicycle manufacturers and resources.
Hand Cycling.com
http://www.handcycleracing.com
Hand cycles, hand cycle news, training, and more
 PowerTrike™
by PDQ Mobility
http://www.pdq.tv
The PowerTrike™ connects to any manual wheelchair and turns
it into a new form of electric transportation that can go over firm
sand, fields, off-road paths and walkways. PDQ Mobility Ltd specializes
in innovative products for the mobility market. The company was
launched in 2001. PDQ's first revolutionary product is the PowerTrike™
United States Handcycling Federation (USHF)
http://www.ushf.org
Outings, events, and the promotion of handcycling in recreation
and competition
Otto Bock Orthopedic Health Care
Two Carlson Parkway, Suite 100
Minneapolis, MN 55447-4467
Voice: (800) 328-4058
Fax: (800) 962-2549
http://www.ottobockus.com
Otto Bock Orthopedic Health Care, a leading international prosthetic/orthotic
manufacturer, is the developer of the C-Leg® System, the world's
first completely computer-controlled artificial leg for amputees.
To provide amputees with the closest thing to natural movement of
the artificial leg, the high tech prosthesis utilizes the same advanced
technology the military uses to improve stability and performance
of its aircraft.
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