PT/OT Busting that Persistent Myth about Adaptive Bikes and Recreation July 18, 2017 by Codi Andersen, DPT
A young boy in a blue shirt and shorts rides on a green adaptive bike as his therapist helps to push him for functional mobility exercise.
I love the adaptive tricycle and the opportunities it affords many of my students. But how often have insurance companies denied requests for adaptive tricycles because they only see the recreational purpose? For my students with the most severe disabilities, the tricycle is a life-saver, and often the only piece of adaptive equipment that will help them achieve functional gains and participation. I&rsquo...
Tips & Advice Spring Trike Tune-Up March 28, 2017
rifton adaptive tricycle maintenance
With spring in the air, it’s time to bring out those tricycles and hit the sidewalks. But first, some yearly maintenance may be in order. Use these quick and simple Rifton tricycle tune-up guidelines to get your adaptive bike into top condition for a summer of fun. Download Trike Tune-Up pdf View in Spanish
Tips & Advice Adaptive Tricycle Funding Resources October 20, 2016 by Elena Noble, MPT
A boy sits on a trike while his caregiver smiles and claps with him.
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...
Tips & Advice Ingenious Solutions from the Field: Using the Rifton TRAM to Transfer onto a Tricycle June 07, 2016 by Jill Barrett, MS, PT
Jill Barrett sitting in a TRAM, demonstrating a transfer to the Rifton Adaptive Tricycle.
1. Position student at corner of mat table and bring TRAM in from the back. 2. Fasten trunk support and using leg straps, lift student. 3. Roll TRAM with student in it to the back of the tricycle. ...
Stories Hear It from the Only One Who Counts April 07, 2016 by Lori Potts, PT
glamour shot of a pink adaptive tricycle for people with cerebral palsy
Usually we run blog posts from or for clinicians. It’s rare that we have the chance to share the user’s experience, so when we received a product review from a sixth-grade student we knew we had to run it. Jenny Cashion, Ana’s therapist, writes: One of my students, Ana, hadn’t had much success with previous trials on adaptive tricycles. When I introduced her to the large Rifton...
News Community Action at its Finest March 09, 2015 by Carmen Hinkey
A young boy grins as he rides his adaptive tricycle from the Great Bike Giveaway
The receding snow banks are creating inviting sidewalks, and which kid’s first response is not “where’s my bike?”  Children with physical disabilities want to ride just as much as any child, and they should. Sadly, adaptive trikes are far too rarely covered by Medicaid or insurance, even with a strong case for the therapeutic benefits of cycling. Thankfully, there is a growing...
Stories Opportunity with a New Set of Wheels June 17, 2014 by Gilbert Thomson, PT
Two brothers smiling at the camera are outside on adaptive tricycles with blues skies in the background
Patrick received his first trike over two years ago because of the difficulty he was having with walking. His endurance was poor, he tended to use a crouch gait and his feet frequently hurt after any ambulation. He started with a small red Rifton Tricycle and it soon became one of his main options for outdoor mobility. Since using the trike over the past two years, Patrick’s lower extremity strength...
News Extra Special People August 20, 2013 by Elena Noble, MPT
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Contributed by Brett Haslam, Co-founder and President of Oconee County Cycling Organization About four years a group of us became concerned about the number of cycling accidents in our area and decided to do something about it. We formed an organization to promote safe cycling, assist in improving bicycling infrastructure, and facilitate the growth of all types of bicycling in Oconee County, Georgia. ...
Stories Kandi An Inspiration to Rifton January 15, 2013 by Clare Stober
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Kandi Elmore likes her independence. And a good challenge. At the age of 43, Kandi has a long history of creating change. Diagnosed as having cerebral palsy with spastic quadriplegia before the age of two, Kandi faced an uncertain future. But with a positive attitude and her mother’s unwavering support, Kandi grew up a determined young girl who challenged boundaries and unwittingly became one of...
News A Perfect Christmas Gift December 11, 2012 by Elena Noble, MPT
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On December 20th a children’s charity in Pittsburgh is planning to give dozens of children in Pittsburgh an adaptive tricycle for Christmas. This wonderful program was launched on November 5, 2012 with hopes to exceed donations for over 100 tricycles. And it looks like this goal will be achieved. So here at Rifton we are producing trikes far faster than usual for this time of year. See more pictures...
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