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Everybody deserves to experience the fresh air and refreshing excitement of riding a bike. Meanwhile, kids who have special needs are not exempted. However, kids who have developmental or cognitive disabilities have usually not been able to experience the joy associated with cycling.
Due to the fact that developments in civilized medicine have aided the diagnosis and treatment of children who have autism, and cerebral palsy, including other physical and/or cognitive health situations, adaptive bicycles for kids who have special needs are now more popular.
Although a standard bike may not be appropriate for special needs kids, there are bikes for special needs children that provide a safe and sturdy option for outdoor adventures. Hence, if you are with a child who has unique needs, it deserves to look into the adaptive bikes available in the market. In this article, let us look into how you can make children with special needs ride with confidence.
Table of Contents
Conditions that Affect Kids
Cerebral Palsy
This is the most common child motor disability, resulting in abnormal brain development. It usually occurs before birth, leading to weak muscle control and difficulty with motor skills. While a kid who has cerebral palsy may try to ride a standard bicycle, an adaptive bicycle or tricycle can provide increased stability while still offering the joy of cycling.
Meanwhile, it is safer for children who have cerebral palsy to ride with a parent or caregiver, instead of going out alone.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is another state that usually makes parents go in search of adaptive bicycles and tricycles for their kids. With this disorder, disturbed nerve cells in the brain often cause seizures, which may be associated with a traumatic brain injury or genetic disorder. Abnormal sensations and the prospective loss of consciousness are a reason seizures are a serious concern, particularly in kids.
For families that have serious cases of epilepsy, an adaptive bicycle offers an additional element of safety.
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism can look distinct from everyone. Those who have ASD may express repetitive behavior and difficulty with speech and social skills.
For children with autism, going out for cycling is an awesome way they can leave the house and be included in the fun activities of the family. For instance, older siblings or parents can pedal while kids sit back and have a pleasant experience of the sounds and sights of a nature ride protectively powered by e-bike technology.
Developmental Disabilities
Eventually, any family struggling with developmental disabilities may derive benefits from bikes available for special needs kids. Learning, language, physical, or behavior impairments do not necessarily have to completely rule out cycling for young kids.
While developmental disabilities can affect the day-to-day lifestyle, the appropriate adaptive bike tends to provide an outlet for physical activity and outdoor recreation.
Considerations Before Purchasing A Specialized Bike
Intended Use and Terrain
With a wide variety of bicycles, it is essential to look out for the intended use to ensure that your new ride will be suitable for your local terrain. As long as a bike is built for the kind of terrain, then the families of kids who have special needs can cycle on beach paths, nature trails, and city streets.
That means you should consider if you intend to ride to the park on weekends or if you would prefer the option of daily rides and longer commutes. Bear in mind that the more you intend to cycle and the farther you go, the more the probability that you would go for multi-terrain tires on a family bicycle for special needs.
Safety
Safety is a top priority for the purchase of any bike, particularly when shopping for a bike to take kids with special needs on. Seatbelts are vital to buckle passengers in and protect them, especially young children who may otherwise move around while at the back of a bicycle.
However, even the bike itself needs to have a heavy-duty design that is strong enough to handle one, two, or three passengers and ride through various terrains. Therefore, to get a better idea of what you should anticipate for protected and successful family bike rides around town, you should look at the front and rear brakes, including the speed/battery display monitor.
Comfort
To get the most from a new bike for kids with special needs, you would want a comfortable fit which has supportive cushioning that is useful for longer rides. A user-friendly design frame with forward pedaling is one of the elements of convenient cycling. You should also consider the design of the saddle, as a wide and oversized seat tends to be more comfortable for rides.
Moreover, engineered foam is one of the materials useful in modern family bikes, not only for the saddle but also for the hand grips. Also, synthetic leather provides a firm grip while protecting the hands from getting sore. Therefore, if you wish to be comfortable and confident while taking your children out for a bike ride, then it is worth paying a bit more for a strong model which will eventually pay off.
Design of Frame
Many standard bicycles force cyclists to lean forward, which could result in post-ride soreness. However, upright riding, similar to what you will see on a beach cruiser, is the appropriate one for correct posture and comfortable cycling. That is the reason an ergonomic design frame should top your list when shopping for a bicycle that will help children with special needs get out and about.
Meanwhile, you should also ensure you go through the specifications of the bike, in order to know the main measurements and be sure that the bike is suitable for your needs.
Riding With Confidence
Selecting the appropriate specialized bicycle for a kid can positively affect their daily life, while encouraging outdoor recreation, and physical activity, including an acknowledgment of nature and the environment in which you live.
Thus, when shopping for a specialized bicycle to accommodate kids with special needs, you should take into consideration the vital features that have been discussed in this article. You should also ensure you go through the specifications of the bike, in order to know the main measurements and be sure that the bike is suitable for your needs. That way, you can boast of your kids riding with confidence.
