Wheelchair Bike Issues

I’m not sure if I have mentioned this but do you know I can ride a bike?

I ride a HandCycle which is a 3 wheeled hand powered bike. I use it mainly for exercise, but I also go for a ride with my family on some of the rail trails we have near us.

My bike is a bit wider than a 2 wheeled bike and one of the issues I’ve had in the past are I struggle to fit through traffic chicanes that are designed to slow people down before a road crossing.

I normally take someone with me that can help to lift my bike around the chicane.

Recently I mentioned this to the local council Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) and I spoke with the person responsible for the trails and explained my issue.
They agreed to meet me at the trail and I took my bike and showed them the issue.
They took some measurements and pictures.

A short time later I received a call telling me that they had made some changes to the chicanes and they’d like my feedback. I went for a ride and they had made modifications that allow me to ride through the chicane unassisted.
I can now ride the trail by myself, which is great but there’s more…

The modification was recently entered into the DSR awards (Disability Sport and Recreation) and won it’s category for Recreation or Open Space Infrastructure.

Awesome job to the Yarra Ranges Council and to the DAC.

Note: If you would like to watch the awards the link is below… about the 47min mark you will see awarding of this award and a small video from James.
Victorian Disability Sport & Recreation Awards