Cycling with a disability. I'm gonna try it!

[Bio_Carbon]

I figured some may find this to be an unusual perspective on the hobby and possibly someone else been there before and has some experience/advice. Or maybe there's even a physical therapist around who can share something. I'm not a huge poster, but I thought this may be a good subject to write about. Little note about my disability and the status quo: I've been in a coma due to sepsis and this caused A LOT of damage. At this point I can walk for about 2km (at just about 3kph speed) now, but I still got balance issues and my left foot is still dead as a dodo. Can't move it, can't feel it. Above the knee I'm fine tho.

Previously I tried cycling on the lawn on my mountain bike. If I'd fall, I'd at least fall on something soft. Sadly it failed spectacularly on account of me not being able to put my feet on the pedals right. BUT. I also have a gravel bike with clipless pedals. The other day it was raining, so I couldn't go out with my therapist, but we did a little experiment instead: Could I clip into and unclip from these SPD pedals. Weirdly, clipping in worked fine with my dead foot, it just didn't happen for the healthy one. But more importantly: I could clip out again. I haven't been riding clipless much, on account of that, all settings on those SPDs are still fairly beginner friendly, but that works out quite well for me right now. Problem is: There is no chance in hell I'm riding around an excessively mossy lawn with a fairly skinny tired all-road bike. It was plenty hard with the MTB when I was healthy. Soooo... the disabled lad with mobility issues, who's on a metric fark-ton of blood thinners is gonna try cycling on asphalt. Naturally I have my helmet, but I'm feeling very nervous about this.

Currently (as a nearly 40 year old man) I'm dependent on my mother to drive me around, because naturally I'm not allowed to drive anymore - pedals n stuff. So this could be an enormous, shimmering, fireworks embellished, diamond encrusted win for my independence (and for my health (mental and otherwise)), but it could also be a quick route to win a trip with the noisy laying-down wagon. Anyone had experience cycling with floppy feet or something like that? Otherwise: Wish me luck. I gotta do some maintenance on the bike, but some time next week, I'd like to give it a go.

 

[classic33]

If balance is an issue for you, have you considered going from two wheels to three?

With regards the pedals, a little out of fashion now, but what about toeclips and straps, or half toeclips.

 

[Webbo2]

What about a three wheel recumbent. There’s a wealth of threads on those things kicking a round on here.

 

[Sharky]

Not quite as serious as yours sounds, but I've had broken ankle, pelvis and collarbones (2). Each time, after the first phase of recovery, I've spent 4 weeks on a static turbo, to regain confidence and to remaster certain skills, before venturing out on the roads.

Try this approach first, you'll be surprised how quickly improvements come along.

 

[rualexander]

Do you have a splint or ankle-foot orthosis for your left leg?
You might manage flat pedals with something like that.
As it's your left leg, could you not drive an automatic car, or electric?

 

[farfromtheland]

What about a three wheel recumbent. There’s a wealth of threads on those things kicking a round on here.

This is my solution, albeit with a handcycle. Seriously fast and light and mine was an ebay bargain.

 

[Bio_Carbon]

If balance is an issue for you, have you considered going from two wheels to three?

With regards the pedals, a little out of fashion now, but what about toeclips and straps, or half toeclips.

I can't say for sure, but I think it's mostly a walking and standing thing, due to diminished muscles and nerves, I think balance on a bike COULD BE fine. Not saying it will be, but I'm hopeful. I currently have no income, my mother is retired and despite good healthcare here, there are bills, so buying anything is problematic and a new bike is out of the question. The funny thing is: I did think about cages just a few days ago, but I used to enjoy the spin bikes at the gym and they do come with toe cages, but they honestly, I never put my feet in them, because they just kinda spin around and hang out at the bottom of the pedal. They may not work in this situation. SPDs may not be optimal to walk around them, but I think they may be the best option. If my attempt fails, I may give the toe cages a shot tho.

 

[classic33]

Check on easylive for a trike. Auction site for auctioneers around the country. Trikes don't seem to go for much, unless there's something special about them.

No need to buy new at times. Second hand can be just as good.