Disabled pillion on bike- how?

[Bikernereid]

Not sure if this should be in this section but here goes.

I work with a young man (21, very slim) who has cerebal palsy and he loves bikes. I must admit I do encourge him as he has such a passion for them. Well he has seen mine and ONWERS bike and went nuts. He would really love to go on the back of our bike but I have NO idea if this at all possible and therefore I am looking to anyone who might have safe and sensible suggestions as to how this might happen. I have discussed this with a few friends but none of them has ever had the experience of taking a disabled pillion.

Before I broach the subject with his parents I would like to have the safest solution so that my argument to get Rhys on the bike is as strong as it can be. I would hate for anything to happen to Rhys as a result of bad planning and design.

If anyone could help I would really appreciate it.

[Gremlin]

I think for everyone's safety, a trike would be a better call?

[Bikernereid]

I think for everyone's safety, a trike would be a better call?

If I had access to one believe me I would love to but as it is we are stuck with our Fazer. I was wondering if it having a top box might make it easier to have Rhys on securely? Any thoughts?

[Rodney007]

BIG NO,

very simple,

not on the back of a two wheeler

[Rodney007]

BIG NO,

very simple,

not on the back of a two wheeler

sorry maybe that was a bit broad and i didnt read first post correctly,

sidecart would be great, and im sure something could be made to carry him safely on a two wheeler,

but if something is to happen "touch wood" comming off would be the worst part,

[JimO]

Not sure if this should be in this section but here goes.

I work with a young man (21, very slim) who has cerebal palsy and he loves bikes. I must admit I do encourge him as he has such a passion for them. Well he has seen mine and ONWERS bike and went nuts. He would really love to go on the back of our bike but I have NO idea if this at all possible and therefore I am looking to anyone who might have safe and sensible suggestions as to how this might happen. I have discussed this with a few friends but none of them has ever had the experience of taking a disabled pillion.

Before I broach the subject with his parents I would like to have the safest solution so that my argument to get Rhys on the bike is as strong as it can be. I would hate for anything to happen to Rhys as a result of bad planning and design.

If anyone could help I would really appreciate it.


love your avatar

[trumpy]

BIG NO,

very simple,

not on the back of a two wheeler

Why?

Bikern1mpho, what type of Cerebral Palsy does he have? What are his normal tonal patterns? If I know these (and some other info) I might be able to help. PM me if you wish.

[Bikernereid]

Why?

Bikern1mpho, what type of Cerebral Palsy does he have? What are his normal tonal patterns? If I know these (and some other info) I might be able to help. PM me if you wish.

Thanks I will try and find out and let you know asap.

[Trudes]

Maybe try to contact someone in a local motorcycle club and see if someone with a sidecar or trike could take him for a ride while you guys ride along with.

[jrandom]

I work with a young man (21, very slim)

He can't be that heavy. Strap him on like a backpack and he'll be right as rain eh?

But god help you if you bin.

[Bikernereid]

Maybe try to contact someone in a local motorcycle club and see if someone with a sidecar or trike could take him for a ride while you guys ride along with.

It's an idea but to be honest if we could get him safely on our bike that would be the prefered option.

[oldrider]

Not sure if this should be in this section but here goes.

I work with a young man (21, very slim) who has cerebal palsy and he loves bikes. I must admit I do encourge him as he has such a passion for them. Well he has seen mine and ONWERS bike and went nuts. He would really love to go on the back of our bike but I have NO idea if this at all possible and therefore I am looking to anyone who might have safe and sensible suggestions as to how this might happen. I have discussed this with a few friends but none of them has ever had the experience of taking a disabled pillion.

Before I broach the subject with his parents I would like to have the safest solution so that my argument to get Rhys on the bike is as strong as it can be. I would hate for anything to happen to Rhys as a result of bad planning and design.

If anyone could help I would really appreciate it.

Our son (44 now) has cerebral palsy and epilepsy and I used to take him everywhere on the back of my bike.

We used to go to rallies but keep to ourselves mostly because people just thought he was pissed and I was carrying him around.

His rally favourite was the wet tee shirt contests, just a normal young man really.

His cerebral palsy has become much worse as he has grown older and the epilepsy was always a problem in case he had a fit and fell off the back before I could stop and help him.

I made a seat belt and tied it to the GIVI back box so that he couldn't fall and so that I could release him quickly when we stopped.

We thought if we had a crash, that the GIVI box would break off and he would be free from the bike.

Actually he never ever had a fit while on the bike but the increasing stiffness of his muscles made him very uncomfortable toward the end of his riding time.

He absolutely loved riding and loved to go places and loved to go as fast as the bike could go! (yeh yeh yeh I know "safety" etc)

He had learned to ride a push bike and could ride a wee trail bike (with a big geared down sprocket on the back) as long as I was on the back to get him started and stopped.

We (Mrs O/r) and I crashed our bike at Cape Reinga and even though the bike went end over end about six times and then rolled over about three times into the deep water table upside down, the GIVI box never broke off!

You can imagine what would have happened if our boy had been on the back tied on with the seat belt!

Sadly, we have never taken him on a bike since!

His cerebral palsy has become increasingly worse and he would not be able to sit on the back for very long anyway now but he has not lost his love and interest in bikes, he just doesn't let it worry him any more.

To cut to the chase here and answer your question, I believe you should give him the opportunity!

Be absolutely sure that his parents or guardians are willing to carry equal responsibility in the decision and in the unlikely event of something going wrong, you are not left holding the baby!

I believe that there are plenty of straps available that have grips for the pillion to hold onto the rider.

These could easily be modified to "strap" the pillion "to" the rider so that if you had to let go of the bike, you would both be free to go.

Quassie makes some and I was going to talk to him about it while he was down here but he didn't call in so can't help you there.

It is the only way that your friend will ever experience the thrill of riding so if you can give him that experience, why not, just go for it.

I hope this has been of some help to you. Good luck and Cheers, John.

[The Pastor]

Its like hes going to get any more brain damaged if u bin right?

[T.W.R]

How about something like a full dress tourer ? Goldwing, Calvalcade, Venturer, Voyager etc they've all got pillion seats like lazy-boy recliners

[blue eyed savage]

that last comment was dumb, however side car would be the way to go or just pray, alot.

[blue eyed savage]

sorry this comment

renegade master Its like hes going to get any more brain damaged if u bin right?

[blue eyed savage]

and the locale bike shops are allways a big help with puting u in contact with the people in the know. question how big its he. can he fit up on the tank like with you behind him. ie for a short ride

[Bikernereid]

and the locale bike shops are allways a big help with puting u in contact with the people in the know. question how big its he. can he fit up on the tank like with you behind him. ie for a short ride

He is about the same size as me maybe a little tinier and I would be very uncofortable with the idea of him against the tank.

[FJRider]

He is about the same size as me maybe a little tinier and I would be very uncofortable with the idea of him against the tank.

Try him on the back of your bike around a deserted footy paddock, or summit similar. Low speed stuff...first gear... and see...

Make sure he's got ALL the gear on...REAL BIKER STUFF...and photo's for him...and us.

:2thumbsup

[Bikernereid]

Its like hes going to get any more brain damaged if u bin right?

By the way Rhys is as quick as anything and is starting college this summer! Just cos your body is screwed doesn't mean that your brain don't work.

[Grub]

By the way Rhys is as quick as anything and is starting college this summer! Just cos your body is screwed doesn't mean that your brain don't work.

Don't worry, he displayed his own brain-damage rather than Rhys's with his comment.

[Tank]

Its like hes going to get any more brain damaged if u bin right?

That was in incredibly poor taste.

[Ixion]

He's 21. Not a child. And, if I understand correctly , cerebral palsy (which is what he has) does not affect mental capacity. So, he's an adult , capable of making his own decisions, and accepting responsibility for his own safety.

Why are you molly-coddling him ? Would you mother hen him the same way if he was "normal" except for some more "normal" disability - say an amputated arm ? Would you even involve his parents in the decision if that were the case? I wonder if Stephen Hawking has to get his parents approval before he does anything

Explain it to him, the risks and issues, let him make his own decision. Let him figure out a way to incorporate whatever it takes to make him feel safe enough. Just exactly how you would if (say) your elderly father wanted a ride on the back of your bike (assuming he wasn't a biker)

[slimjim]

try ulysses club in your area , a trike would be easier to lift him on and off the bike, as a first timer balance is an issuse and yuk! three wheels better than two to begin with

[oldrider]

He's 21. Not a child. And, if I understand correctly , cerebral palsy (which is what he has) does not affect mental capacity. So, he's an adult , capable of making his own decisions, and accepting responsibility for his own safety.

Why are you molly-coddling him ? Would you mother hen him the same way if he was "normal" except for some more "normal" disability - say an amputated arm ? Would you even involve his parents in the decision if that were the case? I wonder if Stephen Hawking has to get his parents approval before he does anything

Explain it to him, the risks and issues, let him make his own decision. Let him figure out a way to incorporate whatever it takes to make him feel safe enough. Just exactly how you would if (say) your elderly father wanted a ride on the back of your bike (assuming he wasn't a biker)

The reason I suggested that they get the agreement of parents caregivers etc is not for "his" benefit or protection, he can decide that for himself as you correctly suggest.

I was concerned for those who wanted to help him achieve his goal of riding on a motorbike!

IE: If it all turned to shit the PC brigade would have a field day at their expense, the public outcry against them would be all out of proportion! :angry2:

Believe me, we have seen it all before, even without any trouble. :sick: John.

[Skyryder]

The reason I suggested that they get the agreement of parents caregivers etc is not for "his" benefit or protection, he can decide that for himself as you correctly suggest.

I was concerned for those who wanted to help him achieve his goal of riding on a motorbike!

IE: If it all turned to shit the PC brigade would have a field day at their expense, the public outcry against them would be all out of proportion! :angry2:

Believe me, we have seen it all before, even without any trouble. :sick: John.

Good advice OR


Like most things in life we all can have the best of intentions but it's not worth a can of shit if something go wrong.

First rule is to cover your arse and if shit hits the fan you've got something to wipe it with.


Skyryder

[Big Dog]

I have taken two or three with Cerebal Palsy for a few laps and other assorted "handicaps" (including blind and Spina Bifida (SP?)).
Being a heavy bastard and a smooth rider helped. No straps just the fear of god and a belt loose enough for them to hold on to.

[NighthawkNZ]

IE: If it all turned to shit the PC brigade would have a field day at their expense, the public outcry against them would be all out of proportion!

That they would and yet they would have the same feild day if everything went great and it was a feel good story for the papers.
When I was in Napier I use to give a friends son a rides on the old XJ and he had cerebral palsy and he thoroughly enjoyed it (he was about 15-16). (It did make it easier that I had a top box with back rest and side panniers. I also use to take another friend for a ride who was blind she thought it was a blast as well...

[Rockbuddy]

climbing harness you both wear one and connect pillion to rider also gives something for pillion to hold on to, easy really

[raftn]

Its like hes going to get any more brain damaged if u bin right?

You carn't be serious.....you need your head read! Very poor taste!

[pete376403]

I would also suggest the big tourer ('Wing, etc). On my GS1100G my daughter has gone to sleep on the back and is safely held between me and the backrest. The higher specced tourers also have fold down armrests so he could be located securely Get to know some of your local Ulysses riders and see if they can help.

[Bikernereid]

climbing harness you both wear one and connect pillion to rider also gives something for pillion to hold on to, easy really

Thanks for that hadn't thought of climbing harnesses at all.

[trumpy]

climbing harness you both wear one and connect pillion to rider also gives something for pillion to hold on to, easy really

Good scheme, could work well. Keep him as close to you as you can (I'm sure he'll enjoy that) you'll probably both be more stable. If he has strong extensor tone just watch that his feet don't block yours or kick your feet off the pedals. If he has an athetoid pattern then having him hard up against you is even more important. All solveable issues. As long as he feels safe I am sure you'll have a great ride.

[<Rhino>]

The reason I suggested that they get the agreement of parents caregivers etc is not for "his" benefit or protection, he can decide that for himself as you correctly suggest.

I was concerned for those who wanted to help him achieve his goal of riding on a motorbike!

IE: If it all turned to shit the PC brigade would have a field day at their expense, the public outcry against them would be all out of proportion! :angry2:

Believe me, we have seen it all before, even without any trouble. :sick: John.

I agree with you 100% Oldrider. You do have to be very careful about what you do and who you involve. Rhys might be there 100% mentaly but if you have an accident and he can't get himself on the bike in the first place: somone did and that person would be responsable.

I suggest a controlled enviroment like a vacant lot or carpark, slow speeds and practice. Build confidence and move on if you wan't to. Most definately include his parents in the decsision, make sure everyone is very clear on who has responsability for what and the risks as well as the potential WCS.

AS for equipment, get on the phone, try rining disabled groups like Riding for the Disabled etc, they might have somthing they could suggest or loan you.