Handcycle Prescription
What is a HANDCYCLE?
Are you looking for a new hobby, a sporting adventure, want to make some new friends, or to improve your fitness? but don’t have the balance or lower limb strength to use a bicycle, run, row, or any of the other sports? Then Handcycling may be for you!
A handcycle, also known as a hand bike or an arm bike, is an adapted tricycle that is powered by the arms rather than the legs like on a bicycle. Handcycles usually have two rear coasting wheels and one steerable powered front wheel which is operated by the rider via a set of handlebars. The rider rotates the pedals on the front handlebar to propel the handcycle forwards. Also attached to the handlebars are the brakes to keep you safe and the gear controls to keep you putting the power down to the ground!
Handcycles are commonly prescribed by physiotherapists or occupational therapists for people with the following conditions
Spinal cord injury
Lower limb amputees
Lower limb deformities
Cerebral palsy
Multiple sclerosis
Stroke
(Plus anyone else that wants to handcycle!)
A handcycle is not a wheelchair - It is a specifically designed piece of equipment that comes in different variations and formations depending on the individual’s needs. Handcycles can be off roading “mountain biking” types or road cycling versions like seen in the Paralympics. There is also wheelchair like designed versions, hobby versions, fully customisable designs and even electric motor assist types. Handcycles have numerous different ways that someone can To transfer into a handcycle there a numerous different methods that you physiotherapist or occupational therapist can assist you with, depending on your function and ability.
Para-cycling made its Paralympic debut at New York/Stoke Mandeville 1984 and has been contested at every Games since. In road cycling, athletes compete on a tandem bike, standard bike, three wheeled trike or handcycle, depending on their impairment. The distance ridden for a road hand cyclist in the Paralympics is anywhere between 37 - 80 km.
Handcycling offers some of the following benefits:
A great cardiovascular workout to improve overall fitness and wellbeing
Improves upper limb and core strength
Increase community engagement through a hobby – great way to meet new people
As a local, national, or even international sporting endeavour
If you think that handcycling may be for you then please feel free to get in contact to arrange an assessment with one of our therapists to get you started on your handcycling journey!
