Adaptive Tricycle Funding Resources

A bike is the quintessence of childhood happiness. But for a child with disabilities, we think it’s a medical necessity. Beyond the joy and exhilaration of free-wheeling movement, the opportunity for reciprocal lower extremity exercise is crucial to the well-being of someone with fragile health. While the therapy community is unanimous on this point, sadly medical insurance companies underestimate (or even deny) the therapeutic value of an adaptive tricycle and typically refuse to cover them.

Thankfully there are organizations that recognize the therapeutic benefits of supported cycling and are committed to providing funding for adaptive tricycles to the kids and families who need them. Here are the ones we know:

(List updated August 2022)

• Adaptive Sports Connection – Funds adaptive tricycles and other adaptive sports equipment in central Ohio
• Children with Special Needs Fund – Funding support for families in Michigan
• Christopher’s Promise – Funds adaptive tricycles in central Ohio
• Dake Foundation for Children – Funding support for families and caretakers of children (under 21) with disabilities within an 80-mile radius of Saratoga Spring, NY
• The Emily Ann Griffin Foundation – A nonprofit providing financial support on a case-by-case basis
• Friendship Circle – Yearly national competition for adaptive tricycles
• Josh’s Ride – Funds adaptive tricycles in Iowa
• Massachusetts Knights of Columbus – Funds adaptive tricycles in Massachusetts
• Save the Kid – Provides resources to children and young adults with disabilities up to age 22 in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Florida
• The Trike Project – Funds tricycles on a case-by-case basis for children in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin
• Variety Detroit Bikes for Kids – Funding for adaptive tricycles in Michigan
• Variety of Illinois – “Build-a-Bike” program funds adaptive tricycles in Illinois
• Variety Pittsburgh – “My Bike” program funds adaptive tricycles in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio
• Wheels Across Montana – Program sponsoring 20 adaptive tricycles across five cities. These special trikes are maintained by the towns and loaned out for up to 30 days at a time to individuals with disabilities.
• Wheel to Walk – Funding for tricycles for children 20 and younger in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and California

Let us know if there are other groups we should list.

For organizations that provide funding for other types of adaptive equipment check our expanded funding resources listing.

Additionally, download this great primer on how to get Medicaid coverage for an adaptive tricycle.