Electric bikes are increasingly popular as a way to get around. Having an extra boost can help with riding longer distances, tackling hills and carrying cargo. For disabled people, e-bikes can also be used as mobility aids which enable riders to travel, exercise and relax.
16% of the world’s population, or 1 in 6 of us, will experience some form of disability in our lifetime. This equates to an estimated 1.3 billion people worldwide.
From physical impairments to mental health conditions, there are many different disabilities which affect people in a wide variety of ways. Thankfully there are also lots of non-standard cycles to cater for a range of needs. In this article, we’ll be exploring the best adaptive e-cycles for disabled adults.
Increased fitness, improved wellbeing and the wider positive environmental impact means the benefits of electric bikes are universal. However, depending on the nature of the disability, electric bikes can be particularly good for disabled people as they offer assistance that makes cycling possible.
As an example, this is the case for me as due to my conditions without electric assistance I would not be able to ride a standard cycle. Even though my bike is electric and supporting me to ride, I am still able to be active. As we investigated in this article, you can get fit and even lose weight using an electric bike.
On top of the positive physical impact, the advantages for wellbeing of being out and about cycling are significant especially as disabled people are more likely to be socially isolated and experience loneliness.
There are many forms of electric cycles for both able-bodied and disabled people. As we identified in this post, there are two main categories: pedal assist and throttle. Pedal assist means the rider needs to pedal to activate the motor, whereas the throttle system controls the motor so these cycles can be powered without pedalling.
I explored the types of cycles for disabled people covering tricycles, hand cycles, mobility bikes, tandems, side by side cycles and recumbent cycles. These cycles are often available with and without electric assistance, and there can also be pedal assist and throttle options.
We’ve also compiled this useful list of bikes that are designed and built to accommodate riders carrying additional weight, some of which are e-bikes.
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