Cycling and Adaptive Cycling
Cycling and Adaptive Cycling in South Africa is an inclusive and empowering sport for individuals with physical impairments – and its growing rapidly.
With increasing access to clubs, events, schools, and national organisations like SASAPD (South African Sports Association for Physically Disabled), as well as organisations such as Bidii Yetu, there has never been a better time to get involved.
Whether you are Cycling with your arms or legs, for fun, fitness, rehabilitation, or professional competition, adaptive cycling overs something for everyone.
If you are looking for a sport with huge personal growth potential – this is it.
To learn more about adaptive cycling, on an introductory and club level, please keep reading. For competitive level Wheelchair Racing, please click here.
Lets get started!
What assistance are you looking for?
1. What is Adaptive Cycling
2. Types of Adaptive Bicycles
3. How to Get Started in Adaptive Cycling
4. Classifications in Para-Cycling
5. Eligibility
– Classes
6. Types of Handcycles
7. Get Involved: Who To Contact
– Events and Competitions in South Africa
– Clubs and Organisations Supporting Adaptive Cycling
– Schools, Universities and Development Pathways
What is Adaptive Cycling?
Adaptive cycling refers to modified bicycles or tricycles designed to support individuals with physical disabilities, including spinal cord injuries, limb loss, cerebral palsy, and more. It allows people of all abilities to experience the joy and independence of cycling, using equipment tailored to their specific needs.
Cycling was introduced as a Paralympic Sport in Seoul in 1988.
The competition includes Track and Road events for individuals and teams, with the following events included: Sprints; Individual Pursuits; 1,000m Time Trial; Road Races and Road Time Trials
These events are for both men and women, with the cyclists grouped together according to their functional ability. Persons with cerebral palsy, amputations or other physical impairments can participate in classes depending on their degree of function and skills required for Cycling.
Depending on their classification, athletes use a bicycle, tricycle, tandem or hand cycle.
The convenor for cycling South Africa is Rudi Kuhn. The sport is active in all provinces of South Africa.
Types of Adaptive Bicycles
There are various types of adaptive bicycles suited to different impairments:
Thinking of getting started in Adaptive Cycling, but not sure where to start?
These are the steps to follow:
1. Find a local club or contact SASAPD to connect with para-cycling programs.
2. Schedule an assessment for equipment needs and classification.
3. Start with a fun ride or community race to build confidence.
4. Apply for funding or sponsorships through NGOs like Bidi Yeti or local disability sport associations
5. Train regularly
6. Start competing
7. Join your provincial team for more structured support.
Para-cycling classification is the process of classifying participants in para-cycling covering four functional disability types.
Classification is handled by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
While the CP-ISRA has an interest in the sport because it is open to people with cerebral palsy – it is not governed by them.
In 1983, the rules for this sport and approval for classification was taken over by the UCI coordinated Federation Internationale de Amateur de Cyclisme.
The classification system includes classes for handcycles for people who have lower limb mobility issues.
There are fourteen classifications based on functional disability type, research done at the Central Institute on Employment Abilities of the Handicapped in Moscow has found differences in functional capabilities based on differences in visual acuity.
This does not play a significant role in tandem cycling.
To ensure fair competition, para-cycling uses a classification system defined by the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) and endorsed by SASAPD in South Africa:
– H1–H5: Handcyclists based on mobility level and trunk function
– T1–T2: Tricyclists, generally for those with neurological or balance challenges
– C1–C5: Cyclists using standard or modified bicycles based on impairment severity
– B: Blind or visually impaired riders using tandem cycles with a sighted pilot
Classification Application: Classes
GENDER
CYCLING
HAND CYCLE
TRICYCLE
BLIND/V1
TANDEM
MEN
MC1-MC5
MH1-MH5
MT1-M12
MB
TCB
WOMEN
WC1 – WC5
WH1-WH5
WT1-WT2
WB
TCB
The sport is governed by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). Para-cycling classes, as defined by the UCI, can be decoded easily.
The first letter stands for the gender (M for men, W for women). Subsequent letters stand for the sport division:
– C for Cycling
– H for Handbike/handcycle
– T for Tricycle
– B for blind or visually impaired – also known as TCB for Tandem Class Blind).
The sport is governed by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). Para-cycling classes, as defined by the UCI, can be decoded easily.
The first letter stands for the gender (M for men, W for women). Subsequent letters stand for the sport division:
– C for Cycling
– H for Handbike/handcycle
– T for Tricycle
– B for blind or visually impaired – also known as TCB for Tandem Class Blind).
The final number is the class in that division – with the lower the number, the greater the degree of impairment.
Therefore WH3 stands for the class Women’s Handbike 3.
International classification is undertaken by a UCI panel which consists of “a medical doctor, a physiotherapist and a sports technician” who will assess the athlete and assign them a class. The evaluation is done in English, and athletes are allowed to be accompanied by an interpreter and/or a representative of their country’s National Federation in the sport. Classified athletes will be issued a para-cycling classification card.
In 1983, classification for cerebral palsy competitors in this sport was done by the Cerebral Palsy-International Sports and Recreation Association. The classification used the classification system designed for track events. In 1983, there were five cerebral palsy classifications.
In 1983, Cerebral Palsy-International Sports and Recreation Association (CP-ISRA) set the eligibility rules for classification for this sport. They defined cerebral palsy as a non-progressive brain lesion that results in impairment. People with cerebral palsy or non-progressive brain damage were eligible for classification by them.
The organisation also dealt with classification for people with similar impairments.
For their classification system, people with spina bifida were not eligible unless they had medical evidence of loco-motor dysfunction.
People with cerebral palsy and epilepsy were eligible provided the condition did not interfere with their ability to compete.
People who had strokes were eligible for classification following medical clearance.
Competitors with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and arthrogryposis were not eligible for classification by CP-ISRA, but were eligible for classification by International Sports Organisation for the Disabled for the Games of Les Autres.
The debate about inclusion of competitors into able-bodied competitions was seen by some disability sport advocates like Horst Strokhkendl as a hindrance to the development of an independent classification system not based on the rules for able-bodied sport. These efforts ended by 1993 as the International Paralympic Committee tried to carve out its own identity and largely ceased efforts for inclusion of disability sport on the Olympic programme.
As of 2012, people with physical and visual disabilities are eligible to compete in this sport.
Handcycles are not wheelchairs, they have cranks and gears, while a wheelchair has push-rims directly on the main wheels. A handcycle is a type of tricycle powered by the arms rather than the legs, as on a bicycle. These handcycles are steered and powered by the front wheels, with two coasting rear wheels. Despite usually having three wheels, they are also known as handbikes.
The cyclists use their torso to help propel & steer the cycle simultaneously. Some designs use two front wheels and a single rear wheel, while others use lean-steer designs. , they have cranks and gears, while a wheelchair has push-rims directly on the main wheels. Handcycles come in a variety of styles, making them accessible to people with a wide variety of disabilities. There are also hybrids between a handcycle, a recumbent bike and a tricycle.
Most popular handcycle, suitable for racing, recreation, or touring
Takes some getting used to:
Use your whole body to steer
Has a different set-up:
Two wheels in front and one behind
More advanced design and gearing for improved performance
1. Fork Steer
2. Lean Steer
Lean cycles are not intuituve to ride, you turn them by leaning into the turn, which takes a little practice – and they are significantly less stable at high speed. The lean steer system feels similar to mono skiing: using your whole body to steer the handcycle.
Suitable for: Lower-level injuries; although, some athletes with high-level disability use them as well.
Variations: Another type of lean steer hand trike has two steering rear wheels and one non-steerable, powered front wheel.
3. Off-Road
The off road is different from other handcycles in that there are two wheels in front and one behind, and it has a lower gear ratio range. This gives the cycle the ability to tackle steep slopes and permits handcycle mountain biking.
The addition of a wider tire with suitable tread makes some mountain biking possible on standard road bikes.
4. Touring
Want to get involved?
Not sure who to call?
Where to go?
This will help:- South Africa boasts several inclusive cycling clubs and disability sport organisations: with a number of accessible cycling events suitable for both beginners and elite para-cyclists – to learn more, please click on the links below to learn more.
Adaptive cycling in South Africa is more than a sport—it’s a lifestyle that promotes freedom, health, and inclusion for persons with physical impairments. Whether you’re just getting started or aspiring to represent the country at the Paralympics, there’s a place for everyone in this vibrant, supportive community.
For guidance, referrals, or help finding a local adaptive cycling club, reach out to Disability Info South Africa (DiSA) – your one-stop information hub for inclusive living.
1. QuadPara Association of South Africa (QASA)
QASA is a non-profit organisation (NPO 000-881) of Quadriplegics and Paraplegics in South Africa.
Their vision is that “all quadriplegics and paraplegics will live their lives to their full potential”.
Its mission is “to improve lives by securing resources to advocate, educate, capacitate, support and mobilise”.
To this end, QASA develops products, programmes and services for quadriplegic and paraplegic members to build their capacity and ensure opportunities for societal integration and empowerment.
QASA invests in programmes that up skills and supports members who pursue employment opportunities, whether this is through skills development, employment programmes that educate employers on the value proposition of our skilled members, or bursaries for tertiary or continued education.
Contact: 031 767 0352 / 0348 via Email: info@qasa.co.za Website: www.qasa.co.za
Address: 17 Hamilton Cres, Gillitts, 3610