Inclusive Bike Hire
Please note: Bikes must be pre-booked in advance.
Participants must complete an Inclusive Bike Hire Form, MEActive Participant Consent Form and undertake an induction with a member of Council staff before they can hire bikes.
Please note all bookings will take place within current Covid guidelines and all bikes will be sanitised before and after each hire.
Please select which venue you are hiring your Inclusive Bike from (Carrickfergus or Larne) and complete the Consent Form too.
For more information or to book contact:
E: inclusivebikehire@midandeastantrim.gov.uk
Our adapted bikes are available to book during June, July and August in Townparks, Larne and Shaftsbury Park, Carrickfergus.
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Date |
Times |
Cost |
Carrickfergus
Shaftesbury Park |
6 & 20 June 2023
|
3pm - 5pm
|
FREE |
4 & 25 July 2023
|
8 & 22 August 2023
|
5 & 19 September 2023
|
Larne
Dixon Park |
13 & 27 June 2023
|
3pm - 5pm |
FREE |
18 July 2023
|
1, 15 & 29 August 2023
|
12 & 26 September 2023
|
Please familiarise yourself with the information for the cycle you intend to use, primarily for your safety and in order to get maximum enjoyment from the experience. If in any doubt or you are using the equipment for the first time, ask a member of staff for assistance.
‘How To’ videos for adjusting each of the cycles can be found on the Disability Sport NI YouTube channel.
Bike Types
Type of bike
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Information
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Tomcat Trike Adult and Junior

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Availability:
Suitability:
- Participants who have a physical, sensory or learning disability
- Participants who have poor balance and coordination
- Participants who need assistance with steering and/or braking
Key safety messages:
- Stability is key when using this bike – any three-wheelers, if used recklessly, can tip – be careful turning corners etc!
- The trikes are equipped with a parking brake lever which should be applied when getting on and off, particularly on a gradient
- A carer or assistant can also steer the bike from behind using the ‘Carer control lever’ that is shown in the picture; this can also be used for braking.
- Do not apply excessive downward pressure on the carer control lever.
Adult Trike
This type of trike is aimed at adults but could also be used by teenagers. It features a lower seating position, comfort seating and a harness plus a split frame model is available for easier transporting/storage, and a swivel seat option is available for ease of transfer on/off the trike.
Junior Trike
These are trikes/3 wheeler bikes, which are suited to kids from 4-16yr old’s who have mobility and/or balance issues. The smaller bikes are ‘fixed wheel’ systems whilst the bike for teenagers has a ‘gearing’ system.
Would be best suited to an indoor, path or cycle path environment. Seating is a standard bike saddle with small side seat posts to aid balance, however, those with large frames or reduced balance will struggle to use these. Foot plates include foot strapping
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Wheel chair transporter

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Availability:
Suitability:
- Participants who have a physical, sensory and dystrophy
- Participants who are wheelchair users
- Participants who have poor balance, strength and coordination
- Participants who need assistance with steering and braking
- This cycle has been developed to enable those with high levels of disability to ride on the front section platform whilst a competent cyclist operates the standard cycle element to control the bike.
Key safety messages:
-
Stability is key when using this bike – any three-wheelers, if used recklessly, can tip – be careful turning corners etc!
-
The transporters are equipped with a parking brake lever which should be applied when getting on and off, particularly on a gradient
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A carer or assistant will steer and pedal the bike.
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They are bulky, robust pieces of kit however, surprisingly easy to manoeuvre given their size and weight.
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A very specialised piece of kit, but one which is a fantastic option to give those with the highest levels of disability, the opportunity to get out on a bike and feel the exhilaration of being in an outdoor environment.
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Click and allow the platform front down, reverse passenger on, the platform clicks back up, safely strap in with 2 rear and 1 front clamping points.
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Note: ensure the front platform is secured in the ‘up’ position before moving off.
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Battery Assisted Hand Cycle Wheel chair

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Availability:
Suitability:
- Participants who have a physical, sensory and dystrophy
- Participants who are wheelchair users
- Participants who have poor balance, strength, mobility and coordination
- Participants who need assistance with propelling the bike
Key safety messages:
- Stability is key when using this bike – any three-wheelers, if used recklessly, can tip – be careful turning corners etc!
- A carer or family member must be on hand to will assist with transporting the client in and out of this and throughout the hire time cannot be used on the public roads
- Capable of reaching 12 mph but please note that the legal speed limit for using such a device in public places is 4mph
- Brake lever: one locking lever, one with an integrated bell
- Mirrored dual-pull brake callipers for easy adjustments and even pad wear
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Hand Cycle

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Availability:
- Shaftsbury Park - 1 Adult
- Larne – 1 adult
Suitability:
- Participants who have a lower limb injury or physical disability
- Participants who can use their upper body to propel the cycle
- These quality cycles are a hybrid between a wheelchair and a bicycle, enabling those with lower limb, mobility or balance issues to use their hands/upper body to propel the bikes.
Key safety messages:
- Ensure Safety Flag is in place in the slot behind the seat.
- The main hazard around the handcycle is the high position of the chain and chainrings. Be careful with loose clothing such as scarves/ties etc.
- Apply parking brake for transfer on/off the cycle
- Brake by pulling hand pedals back towards you
- Seat position can be adjusted
- Stability is key when using this bike – any three-wheeler, if used recklessly, can tip – be careful turning corners at speed
- These would usually be seen in an enclosed area such as a park or cycle path environment. Can also be used on the roads but only by experienced users with appropriate safety features in place.
- Basic safety seatbelt on seating fitted and foot straps for securing feet on foot plates.
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