There is nothing like venturing out in the great outdoors and going for a bike ride. Taking in all the sights and sounds of your neighborhood while feeling the wind in your hair can make you feel like a kid again. It used to be that simple pleasures like riding a bike were only available to able-bodied people. Now, thanks to the many recent innovations in adaptive technologies and design, those with limited mobility can get out and enjoy outdoor activities along with everyone else. One of the most recent advances in adaptive design for recumbent tricycles offered by Rehabmart is the MonoMano Handlebar, which is designed for those who have use of only one hand due to stroke, amputation, arthritis, brain injury or other disability. The MonoMano Handlebar was designed by a group of biomedical engineering students at the University of Rochester in New York and was recently awarded the 2013 Student of da Vinci Award for Accessibility and Universal Design by the Michigan Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The MonoMano Handlebar mounts to most standard recumbent tricycles with U shaped handlebars and a horizontal support beam. Once attached, it allows the biker to control steering, braking and shifting of up to 21 gears with one hand. The controls on the handlebar are placed in the middle of the handlebar, which means that users can keep their hand on the grip at all times which creates a safer and more controlled ride for the cyclist. The MonoMano Handlebar is adjustable for children and adults up to 6 feet, 4 inches, and can be detached to restore back the original function of the tricycle handlebars. An optional MonoMano Adaptive Trike Pedal is available, which is a specially adaptive platform pedal with stabilizing straps that is used for riders who have muscle weakness and may need extra support and stability for their legs.

For those who wish to purchase a new tricycle rather than adapt an existing one, Rehabmart offers the MonoMano Trike, which includes a Sun Bicycles EZ TriClassic SX recumbent tricycle with the MonoMano Handlebar attached and platform pedals for extra stability. This delta-style trike features 21 gears, front linear pull brakes and rear disc brakes. The MonoMano Trike is constructed of sturdy high tensile TIG welded steel and weighs 56 lbs. There is a two week lead time required to order MonoMano products.

Finally, thanks to ground breaking products like the MonoMano Handlebars or the MonoMano Trike, those with limited mobility will no longer have to sit on the side of the road and watch the world pass by. They can partake fully in the feeling of joy and independence that comes with riding a bike, and maybe, just maybe, forget about the limitations of their disability for a while.

Rachel Huber, 
Medical Consumer Writer
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO