Accessibility and Disabled Cycling

Accessibility and cycles

At Let’s Go Cargo!, we are helping break down the perception that riding a bicycle is associated with being a “cyclist” and a certain level of physical fitness, and that a rider must wear all the gear that goes with it. Bicycles and tricycles are often used by those with visible disabilities and by those with disabilities that might not be so visible. Recent advancements in bicycle technology have led to innovative designs that allow more people to get out and about, either as riders or passengers. However, cost and bike storage are still barriers. 

Wheels for Wellbeing and Cycling without Age are two great organizations working to break down barriers to accessibility and disabled cycling.

Dave’s personal experience with disabled cycling

Several years ago, I was yet again forced to go through yet another knee surgery with a recovery period lasting months. I had had several before related to various sports injuries. During recovery, walking was uncomfortable or impossible early on, public transportation was very challenging, and driving was not an option. Feeling relatively isolated, I accepted a co-worker's offer to lend me their e-bike. Never having used one before, I wasn’t sure what it would offer. After a discussion with my surgeon, he said this would be the BEST way to recover from surgery, and he wished he could “prescribe” bikes as medical devices. What an idea 🙂! The e-bike gave me back my mobility, allowing me to comfortably get around my neighbourhood, to work, and so on. 

This experience also informed my advocacy efforts, including serving on Bike Ottawa's board of directors and raising awareness of this accessibility blind spot. It was so great when Velo Canada Bikes, Canada’s national advocacy organization, coordinated with Bike Ottawa and Let’s Go Cargo! to display a wide range of bikes, including adaptive bikes, for federal politicians during Bikes on the Hill 2024. 

What we are doing to give customers options

When we started planning to launch Let’s Go Cargo!, we knew the types of bikes and trikes we would select needed to work for our customers who may not usually ride bikes or would have different needs. Our fleet consists primarily of electric-assist bikes and trikes. Our most popular models are our trikes, which allow people with disabilities who might otherwise be unable to use a two-wheeled bicycle to get around. Two of our trikes can accommodate adult passengers, and our Black Iron Horse Polly has a door for better access to the passenger compartment. A third trike we are introducing in 2026, our Pfautec Roma, is specifically for adults who want to ride a bike but are unable to for various reasons. It is electric-assisted as well and has a nice area to carry stuff, or even your furry friend!

We are proud and excited to have worked with Ottawa Tourism and many other businesses in 2025 to make Ottawa a destination for people with disabilities, learn how to make our businesses more accessible, and develop a central source of information for those with disabilities planning to spend time in our city. We are also very grateful to Ottawa Tourism for helping us acquire our Black Iron Horse Polly.

If you have any questions about what bike or trike might work for you, a friend or a family member, please get in touch, and we’d be glad to discuss how we can make it a great experience.