An inventive Logan dad hopes the bike he designed to improve the quality of life for his wheelchair bound daughter will soon be helping others.
David Ingerson hopes to take his first orders for the Therapytrike when it goes on show for the first time at the Source Kids Expo next month. The expo brings together disability service providers and guest speakers over two days at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on July 5 and 6.
Mr Ingerson’s daughter Tara, 15, suffers from cerebral palsy. He and his wife Caroline began shopping for a bike or trike for Tara after she had operation on her legs aged at the age of about 7.
“She had leg surgery and we had to find a way to stop her legs seizing up,” Mr Ingerson said.
“She has botox every three months but even then, there are issues with flexibility day to day. Nothing was available so we created what we needed. She used the pedals to move her legs until they became too stiff. We still liked her to have some fun outside.”
The recumbent trike has low centre of gravity so riders are less likely to topple.
It can be pushed or steered by rider or carer with a simple mechanism installed to allow each pedal on the bike to be changed from pedal to freewheel.
Pedal length can be adjusted while the rider is in the seat.
A canopy can be slipped on for shade or easily removed so the user can be lowered or lifted from the seat using a hoist.
A full five-point harness holds the user in position. Feet can be strapped to the pedals.
Adjustable back side to side movement to promote core stability
“The needs of anyone of almost any age with brain injuries or impairment can benefit from riding a bike,” Mr Ingerson said.
Mr Ingerson searched for an international cycle manufacturer to refine the design but found them reluctant to embrace challenges his designs posed.
“We had been working with bike manufacturers on the basic frame design but as soon as the design issues became more complex, we found they were unwilling to make modifications,” he said.
Mr Ingerson widened his search to local companies and eventually found what he was looking for when he met Craig Hyde, director and head of design at Cobra Industrial Design at Logan Village.
“Working with Craig has been a huge advantage because he has a personal interest in manufacturing equipment for people with a disability and understands that a one size fits all isn’t an option,” he said.
The trike has recently received its National Disability Insurance Scheme approvals.
It comes in two sizes – one for adults and one for kids – and is custom built to order. The Therapytrike comprehensive kit starts at $5995.
For more information go to:
THERAPYTRIKE: FAST FACTS
The Therapytrike is a physiotherapy trike designed to help individuals with leg impairment or brain injuries get the therapeutic benefits of bike riding.
The Therapytrike strengthens and can help pattern train leg muscles and strengthen the core back muscles while allowing individuals to have therapy in a fun environment.
Designed for use in the garden or at parks, the Therapytrike is a safe and easy to use for people of a wide range of ages and a variety of disabilities.
It has been developed by a group of specialists with the aim of bringing therapies to many more people than is currently available.
The Therapytrike is a fun safe way for children and adults to receive therapies without compromise. Features include:
- Easy size adjustments for different users and two options for seat sizes, child or adult, both using a foam and gel padding for
- Independent clutch mechanism allows for driving the legs for pattern training of muscles or freewheeling for fun if muscles are too tight to allow
- Low seat to floor height assists in safe movement and to prevent the possibility of
- A canopy that fits in seconds and shields from direct sunlight to reduce the chance of photosensitive
- Allows easy use of a hoist to lower larger users into the
- Attended or self-controlled steering
- Five-point harness allows security of positioning, ease of use while maximizing safety for the
- Requires minimal training for the carer to
- Allows flexibility as riders conditions
- Can be adjusted to be used by riders of different
- Folds down for easy transportation and is easy to set up back
Therapytrike Pty Ltd Contact: David Ingerson Phone: 0411 121312