The connection between man and nature is as natural as is the passion to discover it. For a healthy person, there are usually no obstacles to making outdoor discoveries, but handicapped people may experience some. Well, no more. Introducing the Mountain Trike, one of the most sophisticated attempts in assistive technology for hiking out.
Terrain equipment for handicapped has been included in many manufacturer`s portfolios for some time but with no outstanding successes. Usually, the offer is limited to specially tuned terrain electric wheelchairs created by making changes to the basic wheelchair construction. Moreover, there are some special models, like the electric wheelchair with tank-like tracks instead of traditional wheels.
The logistics and transport issues are the biggest problems connected to those solutions, not to mention the legal issues. There are also lots of active people with disabilities, to whom the idea of replacing their own power by an electric motor is anything but pleasant. Classical, light-weight active wheelchairs are effective around the town, but in rougher terrain, problems often arise.
Small wheels at the front of a wheelchair are likely to get stuck at the first sight of mud; narrow wheels in the back are also not usually designed to be supportive in heavy terrain. Braking with your own hands is also not the easiest thing to do, especially when wheels became wet or covered by snow or mud.
Clever and effective
The "all terrain wheelchair", as the Mountain Trike is usually described, has gone through three different development stages since the first prototype of 2006. At first sight, it is something that can be described as the evolutionary step between the traditional wheelchair and a three-wheeler.
The construction is based on a simple chassis topped with a comfortable seat. On the sides two wheels are attached, equipped with special terrain tires. Behind, connected to the main frame, is the third stabilizing wheel, big enough to make it through the terrain and to support turning. For safety reasons, two additional smaller wheels are attached in the front. They are meant to prevent the trike from a rollover in case of sudden braking. The user moves forward using two levers by simply pulling them back and then pushing them forward. Pulling and pushing only one lever at a time will transfer the power to only one wheel, forcing the trike to turn left or right. The user may also turn the trike almost on the spot, no reverse gear is therefore necessary.
What makes the trike move so simply in various conditions? It is a principle long known from bikes – shifting. Changing the size of the cogwheel will let the trike’s user climb up hills easily or go fast when on a flat surface, and makes various terrains manageable. The system can be simply changed or modified. The components are compatible with standard ones, so all reliable bike accessory shops should be able to satisfy a user's needs. This may also cut down the budget for the maintenance or repair.
The trike uses effective disc brakes with levers similar to a normal bike. This allows it to brake continuously, not only in two modes (braking full or not at all). Riding down the hill is suddenly fun, not a horror with an unclear ending. A version with separate brakes for both wheels is available for all advanced terrain conquerors. The whole construction is also supported by a suspension, making the trike stable and comfortable.
Assistive almost anywhere
No matter how technical or complicated this may sound, all doubts disappear when you see the trike in action. With one move of the user's hands, a high curb is climbed. Speaking generally, the trike can also be easily used in towns thanks to its small dimensions. It is not much bigger than a usual manual wheelchair and it is also foldable. It should fit into a car or public transit, wherever a standard manual wheelchair will fit.
Moving around cities is a nice bonus, but the cornerstone of the trike lies in its ability to manage rough terrain. The possibilities are fascinating, ranging from easy climbing into the hills, through crossing the field roads and tree roots, ending with conquering everything from beach sand to tons of snow or mud. Furthermore, the construction keeps its user from getting completely wet or dirty. Moving around in the rain is also easy (no wonder, when you consider it originates in Great Britain).
The Mountain Trike is being distributed internationally with a price tag nearly reaching £ 4,000.
Stepan Benes - Experienced, well established freelance writer on all things concerning technology and disabled people.
