Cycling competitions are relatively new for athletes with disabilities. In the early eighties, the visually impaired were the first group of athletes to compete, and athletes with cerebral palsy and amputees began racing at the International Games for the Disabled in 1984. Up until the 1992 Paralympics, the competitions for each of these different groups were held separately. Then, at the Barcelona Games, spectators witnessed intense competitions in both track and road races between athletes in all three disability groups.

The cycling events are divided into individual and team (a group of three cyclists from one nation) events. Athletes with cerebral palsy compete using standard racing bikes and, in some classes, tricycles. Athletes who are blind or visually impaired compete on tandem bicycles with a sighted team-mate, and they participate in the road race and the time trial events. Finally, amputees and cyclists with permanent locomotor deficiencies compete in individual road race events using cycles specifically constructed for their needs.
Handcycling will be included for the first time at the Athens Paralympic Games. Handcycling is for athletes who normally require a wheelchair for general mobility, or athletes not able to use a conventional bicycle or tricycle because of severe lower limb disability.

Team GB's Paralympics enjoyed spectacular success in Athens, finishing second in the overall medal table with 94 medals.

We are now in the process of acquiring two track tandems to assist amputees, visually impaired and disabled children able to balance with out aid; We can offer the opportunity to amputees to enjoy cycling by tandem or solo; please contact us for more information.

Disability cycling contacts

Information from London 2012 Olympic Web Site and The Paralympics GB Web Site