The adaptative handcycle prototype was designed for Queenslanders with lower limb impairments to be able to train and participate virtually in H1 – H5 cycling from any location.

“It allows people to ride a bicycle with their hands in a seated or reclined position and it’s really designed for people who aren’t able to ride a bicycle,” said Levi Swan, Lead Designer from QUT’s School of Design.

“We’re lowering the barrier of entry so that anyone could come in and use it. People that haven’t ridden a handcycle before or people in wheelchairs who may want to give handcycling a go,” said Levi.

The adaptive handcycle prototype was designed in collaboration with Sporting Wheelies and Queenslanders living with lower limb impairments, who gave valuable feedback and recommendations during regular user testing workshops.

“It was a genuinely collaborative process from the start,” said Dane Cross, Sporting Wheelies COO.

“Our Sporting Wheelies team worked closely with experienced handcyclists during the initial concept planning and early design stages, and the project evolved from there,” said Dane.

The project was kick started with $47,918 funding under the Queensland Government’s ActiveKIT Super Round which helped QUT’s School of Design bring the idea to life.

“This technology enables anyone in a wheelchair to roll in and to access some of the new technologies that are available to people who already have access to and can participate in initiatives like Zwift home cycling,” said QUT’s Director of Sport, Emily Rosemond.

“As a former cyclist on the Australian team, I know how important having ergonomics at home are and to use all sorts of different cross training equipment. So if we can continue to progress this initiative, I think it will be fundamental to the handcycling community,” said Emily.

The new adaptive trainer sets Queensland up to win more medals at the Paralympics after Australia competed in only one handcycling event out of 12 at the Paris Games in 2024.

“For us not to be competing in 11 events means 11 gold medals that we’re not trying to chase. So there’s a huge opportunity there for cycling and for the sport to grow,” said David Betts, Para and Endurance Lead Coach with AusCycling.

While QUT is excited for how this technology could help shape Australia’s medal prospects at the Brisbane 2032 Paralympics, they are equally excited for how it could help every Queenslander to be more active and participate in sport.

“This initiative is for people who don’t have access to sport or who want to get involved in sport but don’t really know how to. We’re trying to overcome that challenge through the innovation of some of these technologies, which we hope will be readily available to people in the community in due course,” said QUT’s Emily Rosemond.

“There’s a lot of focus on high-performance medal-winning athletes, but where is it that people start that journey? It’s in the grassroots space,” echoed Dane Cross.

The adaptive handcycle trainer was launched at QUT’s Gardens Point with an interactive display of the prototype in use.

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