Adaptive Mountain Bike Initiative to Bring New Opportunities to Wheelchair Users
Cycling Ireland recently teamed up with Noel Joyce from Project Mjolnir, and with funding from Sport Ireland’s Dormant Accounts Fund, have built five adaptive mountain bikes.
The design, pioneered by Noel, is available as an open-source file, allowing wheelchair users the opportunity to take to the trails.
The frame concept is based on a modular platform that enables builders to construct and develop their own adaptive MTB cost-effectively.
As the components can be made by any capable machine shop or via online rapid prototyping outlets most parts can be manufactured and delivered almost anywhere in the world. Individuals can customize any element of the frame to suit their specific requirements. This project is being developed as part of NYU Tandon's VIP program.
As part of the initiative to make mountain biking, and the wider outdoors, more accessible to wheelchair users, the adaptive mountain bikes will be in place at trail centres across the country, available for rent. Biking.ie, Ballyhoura Trail Riders and Bloom E-Riders will have the bikes available for use in the coming months, with hopes to grow this initiative to other parts of the country.
Several of these trail centres have been incredibly cooperative in widening certain sections of trail to allow enough space for these three wheeled, motor assisted hand cycles.
Noel Joyce, designer and founder of Project Mjolnir, said:
“It's been an exhilarating start to the Adaptive MTB scene in Ireland, something I didn't think was going to happen for several years. Being able to contribute with our open-source design in such an impactful way has been amazing and I think that we have a real opportunity to make Ireland a destination as well as a leader in the sport of Adaptive MTB.”
Participation Manager for Cycling Ireland Paul Norton said:
“This collaboration with Noel is a landmark project for Cycling Ireland and adaptive mountain biking in Ireland. Being part of this project has been hugely exciting and the feedback and buy-in from other stakeholders like Niall Davis in Biking.ie, Liam Sheehy in Trail Riders, Simon and Siobhan in Bloom E-Riders, Wicklow, Offaly, Limerick and Sligo Sports Partnerships has all been so positive.
“Seeing people experience riding a bike in a forest or down a mountain bike trail, who haven't experienced this since acquiring their injuries or in some cases ever in their lifetime, is an amazing and hugely rewarding to be a part of."
High Performance Para-cycling Development Coach Marcin Mizgajski added:
“Bringing this adaptive MTB project to life gives all potential Paralympians a chance to develop off road skills like balance and quick decision making but it is also another unique opportunity for exploring roads and terrain that was out of reach for most wheelchair users. The freedom that this type of cycling gives will bring a lot of happiness, and make previously inaccessible spaces accessible.”
You can read more about Project Mjolnir, donate to the project, or access the designs here.