As the US population ages, the popularity of three-wheeled vehicles continues to grow. But just as some riders seek out trikes as a sturdier way to get out in the wind, many people with disabilities are beginning to see trikes as vehicles that can safely accommodate their needs and help them reclaim their independence.
“Most people never think they’re going to be someone with a disability,” said Gail DeWitt, owner of DMR Trikes and founder of the American National Association for Bikers with a Disability (ANABD). Indeed, “disability” can be a misleading word, bringing to mind a sudden, severe injury resulting in paralysis or the loss of a limb. Yet the term “disabled rider” does not apply only to those in wheelchairs or with prostheses. Rather, many disabilities, such as heart disease, diabetes, or knee and hip injuries, are less profound and can come on gradually as we get older. Continue reading.
