Organizing a weekend with the family and a child with a disability
Bike tours for everyone
For many, a weekend away with the family is a valuable opportunity to get together, enjoy time and create unforgettable memories. However, for families with a child with a disability, finding activities that are accessible and enjoyable for everyone can be a challenge. But bike tours offer a fantastic way to get active together and experience the outdoors - regardless of physical limitations.
Why bike tours?
Cycling tours are an ideal way to stay active as a family while enjoying the fresh air and nature. They offer numerous benefits for the whole family, such as
- Community experience: bike tours promote a sense of togetherness. Everyone can join in and there are many ways in which a child with a disability can be integrated into the adventure.
- Accessibility: Special bikes and trailers make it possible for children with disabilities to take part in bike tours.
- Promoting mobility and independence: For children with mobility impairments, cycling can be an important step towards greater independence and self-confidence.
Bicycles for children with disabilities
For children with physical disabilities, there are a variety of specialized bikes available today that allow them to have fun and enjoy bike rides. The most popular options include
- Hand bikes: particularly suitable for children who cannot use their legs properly. Hand bikes are powered by the arms, promoting a sense of freedom and mobility.
- Wheelchair bikes: These special bikes offer the option of combining a wheelchair with a bike. The child remains in the wheelchair while being safely and comfortably pulled around on the bike. This means that children who cannot ride themselves can also be included in the adventure.
- Tricycles/Therapy bikes: Tricycles provide a stable base and additional safety. They are particularly beneficial for children with motor impairments, as they offer more support when riding than conventional bikes.
- Rehab buggies as bike trailers: A rehab buggy is an ideal solution for children who are unable to ride themselves. As a bike trailer, it allows the child to be transported safely while the parents or other family members ride the bike.
- Spacious bicycle trailers: While conventional bicycle trailers quickly become too cramped for children with disabilities and do not provide any necessary stabilization in the seat, for example with pads, there are special trailers for larger children. The manufacturers of these trailers offer more space/legroom as well as accessories and therefore a comfortable and safe transport option for children with weaker muscle tone, for example.
- Tandems: Tandem bikes are a great option if one parent or another family member wants to ride together with the child. The child can sit either in front of or behind the rider and enjoy the ride while benefiting from the rider's support.
Solutions from the community:
Rehab buggy as a bike trailer
We use our rehab buggy for bike tours with the whole family. Thanks to the bicycle drawbar, it can be converted into a bicycle trailer in no time at all. Our son loves it. And the biggest advantage is that we are also mobile on foot. Simply detach the drawbar, screw a mobile front wheel onto it and you're done.
Sibling bike trailer
Our super spacious sibling bike trailer has already accompanied us on various bike tours. It can be folded up quite small so that we can also transport it in the car. The manufacturer has provided us with extra side supports and a headrest to ensure a stable seat. This ensures that our son sits safely and comfortably. We have swivel front wheels for on the go. This quickly turns the trailer into a push option.
Cargo bike with seat shell
We have a Babboe Carve. Our daughter currently still fits in the baby seat (she is 3 years old but only 80 cm tall).
The medical supply store will now provide her with an adapted seat shell.
Trets
Our daughter is 8 years old. You can remove the front wheel and then connect it to your own bike with a Weber coupling.
We have the "Trets" model, which fits up to approx. 160 cm. It works well from a height of one meter.
Bicycle trailer from Elinas Fahrwerk
We use a bicycle trailer from Elinas Fahrwerk, which is particularly practical as the wheelchair is always with us.