Adaptive Cycling

In order to ensure a safe and fun ride, participants using SCI BC’s adaptive bikes must meet our eligibility criteria.

• Able to transfer with minimal assistance (independently or using a slide board or height adjustable transfer seat) or bring assistance to transfer to the bikes.
• Those looking to ride a handcycle must have intact elbow and shoulder function.
• Those looking to ride a recumbent leg powered trike must have enough leg function to stand independently and walk with or without a mobility aid.
• Participants who have had a brain injury or stroke within the last 12 months must provide a letter from their healthcare provider stating that they are safe to ride a trike with an electric assist motor.

SCI BC’s Adaptive Cycling is based out of Trout Lake Community Centre in Vancouver’s Trout Lake (John Hendry) Park located at Victoria Drive and East 15th Avenue. Trout Lake Community Centre has ample accessible parking off of Victoria Drive. Accessible washrooms are available during our Adaptive Bike Clinic + Ride (ABC+) sessions.

Group Rides are scheduled for off-street trails around the Lower Mainland. We do our best to make sure our rides leave from a trailhead with accessible washrooms and parking. Choose the Group Ride that matches your interest, location and skill set!

This program is designed to lower the barriers to trying and using a handcycle or adaptive bike and is geared towards the needs of new riders or those looking to learn the basics and ride safely with others.

Our BYOB Group Rides are led by a Cycling BC trained Ride Leader and handcyclist. Adaptive Bike Clinic + Ride (ABC+) sessions are led by a Club Assistant Coach trained by Cycling BC and PMBIA Adaptive Level 1.

Try our Adaptive Bike Clinic + Ride if you’re just getting started or want to try out different kinds of bikes and adaptive equipment to see what feels right. The clinic offers you basic instruction on how to confidently operate the handcycle or trike before you go for a ride on an off-street park trail.

No! We have helmets, reflectors, and everything you need to legally and safely cycle. This also includes straps, foam wedges, cushions and other useful supplies to help get you comfortable on the bike you are matched with.

We have a selection of cushions available to use if you require a pressure relief cushion but can’t use your own. Some very rigid wheelchair cushions like the RIDE Custom cushion are not suitable for use on a handcycle.

For Group Rides, if you’re riding your own bike please make sure to bring your own helmet (or email us if you need to borrow one), and ensure your own bike is in good repair and safe to use (functional brakes, steering, gear shifting and tires).

All participants must wear a functional helmet that fits your head and must:

• have a smooth surface
• be built so it’s capable of absorbing energy on impact
• be strongly attached to a strap designed to be fastened under your chin
• be undamaged and less than 6 years old.

Participants riding our bikes will be supplied a helmet, those riding their own adaptive bikes should bring their own helmet meeting the criteria above or let us know they need to borrow one.

We have a variety of bikes, some of which offer a relatively easy transfer for a wheelchair user. We also have tools to make the transfer easier for you, including a slide board and an adjustable height seat that can lower you to the level of the handcycle. Our instructors and volunteers can assist by spotting, helping with balance, as well as using these transfer aids safely. Participants are welcome to bring a friend or caregiver along to assist them to transfer.

Please note, at this time we are not set up for full assist or hoist transfers.

Handcycle Lift Seat (pictured below): Works like a bathtub lift, but has a wider platform for stability and helps lower you from your chair level to a handcycle or lift you from handcycle to chair level.

Sliding Transfer board: We have a transfer board you can borrow or you can bring your own.

Bike fittings are a 1:1 session with a maximum of 2 people and 2 instructors over a 60-90 minute session. You only need to do this to be set up in a bike you have not yet had a bike fitting and assessment with us before. Riders who are using their own adaptive bikes/handcycles do not need to complete this type of session.

Group Rides may be as large as 8 participants and 4 instructors or volunteers per session.

Up to one friend with their own bike/handcycle and helmet can participate with you during a Bike Fit + Clinic or Group Ride. Your friend should register separately for the same session. Family or friends who are joining to observe or assist with transfers are welcome and do not have to register but cannot ride alongside you.

Please give us 24 hours notice if you have to cancel so we can offer the space to someone else. Please contact Jocelyn at jmaffin@sci-bc.ca to cancel.

Rain is a fact of life in Vancouver and our sessions will go ahead rain or shine, however there are times when weather may force session cancellations:

• High probability of heavy rain or hail
• Extreme heat
• Lightning

Instructors will contact participants in the event of a cancellation and rebook the session whenever possible.

All riders using their own handcycles or adaptive bikes will need to arrive 10 minutes early to leave time for a quick safety check with an instructor before the group ride begins. Participants must still register beforehand and indicate they are bringing their own equipment.

Participants riding their own adaptive bikes or handcycles are asked to register and share similar basic disability and contact information as well as sign a waiver so that we have enough information to offer support where it’s needed or in case of an emergency.

Please bring:

• a snack and a water bottle
• an extra layer of clothing appropriate for the weather
• sunscreen

optional

a functional helmet that fits your head that:

• must have a smooth surface
• be built so it’s capable of absorbing energy on impact
• be strongly attached to a strap designed to be fastened under your chin
• be undamaged and less than 6 years old

Please make sure you have looked after your bathroom needs before your session.

Bike Fitting & Clinic sessions will take place near accessible toilet facilities. We recommend you arrive a minimum of 15 minutes early so you have ample time to use the bathroom before your session. Getting into and comfortable in an adapted bike can take some time so it’s helpful to avoid having to repeat it!

Participants in group rides will not have close access to a bathroom throughout the whole ride. If nature calls in the midst of a ride, an instructor or volunteer will return with the participant to the starting point to use the facilities.

We have compiled a list of places across BC where you can rent an adaptive bike or handcycle. Click here to check it out.

If want to buy your own bike, we have information on types of bikes and where you can buy them. Click here to learn more.