What is disability cycling?

Cycling is a sport for everyone. This isn’t a lie. Even people with certain disabilities can join and enjoy cycling. With the support from the government and the encouragement from the people all around, discrimination and physical requirements are thrown out the window.

Different bike gears have been created and manufactured to answer the needs of people that have physical disabilities. These bikes allow them to enjoy and reap the benefits of cycling despite their condition. For riders who have visual impairments, there are tandem bicycles that allow them to make use of their partner’s sight while they contribute mostly to the legwork. For riders who are on wheelchairs, there are handcycles that allow them to make use of their hands to pedal instead of their feet. And for people having problems with balance, there are tricycles that have a supporting wheel to guide them. Regardless of the cycling gears used, the main point of this is that people are given the chance to be fit even under their given conditions.

Of course, like any other cyclist, cycling helmets must never be forgotten. Riders must have cycling or mountain bike helmets that meet the Australian standards. This way, they get the optimum protection that bike helmets are supposed to give.

Disability cycling is not for exercise alone. It has also become a competitive sport. Paralympics feature competition events for cyclists with vision impairment, lower limb disabilities and even cerebral palsy.

Through this, people are given a new sense of hope and a boost to their self-confidence. Cycling has crossed borders, color, gender, race and even physical strength.

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