Get out there with Triride

TRIRIDE ARE A market leader in the production of Power Add-on devices. Whether you want full electrical assistance, or a Hybrid assisted handcycle we have you covered. Simply attach to your manual wheelchair in seconds and discover a new Freedom.

If you are looking for a more physical challenge the Triride Tribike Hybrid provides a simple fun way to keep active and enjoy the road ahead. A hybrid customisable power assist system offers electrical assistance when pedalling which makes tackling those hills a breeze. Combines with a choice of gearing and tyre options the Tribike provides great versatility for most terrains. You even have an ondemand throttle to help get you started on those steeper inclines.

If you’re looking for a more compact option, we also have the Tribike Hybrid available with a 16” wheel providing a super compact footprint and its lightweight frame make the Tribike Hybrid a great transport option. Whether you need full electric or the active hybrid option, enjoy the great outdoors with friends and family.

The Triride Special Compact HT with all road tyre is a great all-rounder providing full electronic assistance. Small, compact, packed with plenty of power to tackle those steeper inclines and handle some off-road use, but small enough and light enough to transport in the boot of your car.

Find out more information on www.triride.uk

Triride technology compliments the drive performance with Intelligent Cruise Control and Intelligent Braking System makes driving with family and friends a breeze. Paired with Triride’s patented attachment method, fitting to most manual wheelchair is possible and customisable to each individual user requirements.

How do you learn to drive if you have a disability?

IF YOU have a physical disability, you may still be able to learn to drive in a standard car and lots of features in today’s cars make the task of driving and learning to drive much easier.

Automatic cars are now commonly available which means you don’t need to worry about operating the clutch or changing gear on the move, power steering makes turning the steering wheel much easier, an electric parking brake takes all the effort out of securing the car and hill start assist means no more roll back on uphill starts.

If you haven’t got full use in your arms or legs that does not necessarily mean that you can’t drive a car, there are lots of adaptations available that can help you operate the car controls:

• Hand controls, allow you to operate the accelerator and brake pedals without using your legs.

• A left foot accelerator would mean that if you’ve lost the use in your right leg you can use your left foot to operate the modified accelerator and standard brake pedal.

• A steering ball would help you turn the steering with only one hand.

• And a secondary control keypad on the steering ball would allow operation of indicators, horn, headlamp dip/flash and front/rear wash/wipe controls with the same hand that is turning the steering.

For the above basic adaptations, you need good function in one arm and one leg or in both arms. These adaptations are commonly available in driving school tuition cars but if you have more complex needs and require more advanced adaptations, it is likely that you will need to get your own adapted car to learn to drive in.

For information and advice about learning to drive, go to: https://www.disabilitydrivinginstructors.com/driving-advice/first-time-drivers/

They have over 40 vehicle adaptation products available nationwide on the Motability scheme, including a full range of hand controls, hand accelerators, person hoists, transfer plates, electric hatch openers and many more. Most recently they have launched a complete range of adaptations for disabled riders of motorbikes in collaboration with their international partners, Handytech. These adaptations are truly groundbreaking and some of which have never been seen on the UK market before.

The range of products known as ‘Freetime’, includes adaptations such as a thumb operated brake, servo-assisted original clutch, left-side accelerator & front left brake and a servo-assisted gearbox (see photo) for motorbikes. ‘Freetime’ also features a range of adaptations for UTVs, quad bikes and three wheelers. This is truly giving people living with disabilities the opportunity to live a ‘life without boundaries’, which is the BAS motto and focus of everything they do!

BAS are thrilled to be showcasing the ‘Freetime’ motorbike adaptation range at the Disability Awareness Day (DAD) in July, an event that they are extremely passionate about and have been sponsors of for many years. The event is held at Walton Hall Gardens, Warrington in July and is the world’s largest ‘not-for-profit’ voluntary-led disability exhibition. Visitors to DAD can expect to find over 200 exhibitors including equipment suppliers, transport, holidays, leisure, employment, support groups, services and more. You can find BAS in the main entertainment square, where they will have multiple demonstration vehicles showcasing their full range of car and motorbike adaptations.

BAS pride themselves on putting the needs of their customers first and on their website you will find not only the full range of products and services they offer, but also a wide array of information and advice to help people living with disabilities. This includes information on grants and funding, recommended mobility shops, charitable organisations and even how to measure a scooter/wheelchair for a hoist. You can find all of this information under the ‘Vehicle Adaptations’ section on their website. They also provide free demonstrations for their customers, helping to ensure that both the wants and needs of their customers are met.

To find out more about BAS go to www.basnw.co.uk or visit them in the entertainment square at the Disability Awareness Day in Warrington on the 16th July https://www.disabilityawarenessday.org.uk/