Cycling allows children with disabilities to experience mobility and movement under their own steam
What should I bear in mind when applying for a therapy bike or tricycle?
It is important to contact therapists and a medical supply store that have experience in fitting bicycles. A detailed assessment should then be carried out to determine which bike and accessories the child needs.
It is also important to clarify with the parents where the bicycle will be used. For example, if the family lives in an area with lots of mountains, an e-drive could make sense. If the parents want to go on longer bike tours, a parent-child tandem coupling (FollwoMe) would be recommended. It should also be noted that parents should expect to pay around €200 - €250 themselves. All of these things need to be discussed before treatment.
For children and young people up to the age of 15, health insurance companies recognize cycling as a general basic need of daily life. This means that children with disabilities who cannot ride a standard bicycle are entitled to a bicycle suitable for the disabled.
Cycling helps children to progress
From a therapeutic point of view, cycling promotes many skills in children.
Not only motor skills, but also mental skills are trained.
Functional goals: Many physical functions are improved.
Muscle strengthening
- Tone regulation
- Positive influence on body structures (misalignments)
- Stability and posture control (balance training)
- Improvement of vital functions
- Improvement of fitness and coordination
- Promotion of mental development
Activity goals: Cycling provides children with good support in many activities
- Improving mobility
- Promoting coordination and dynamics
- To make exercise fun
- Promoting independent activity
- Improving independence
- Promotion of walking
Participation goals: This enables children to participate in social life with family and friends
- Improving the quality of life
- Social integration and integration among peers
- Personality development
- Strengthening individual opportunities
Who is entitled to a therapy/tricycle?
Basically all children who have a handicap and are therefore unable to ride a standard bicycle.
The health insurance company will cover the costs of a therapy tricycle if it is well justified.
Therapy/tricycles are used to compensate for disabilities.
It is intended to ensure a general basic need of daily life.
As a result, the children achieve greater independence and a strengthening of their psyche and well-being.
The Reha-Kind-Bogen (mobility aids) with a therapeutic justification and a video of the successful test serve as a justification aid.
