Specialist bikes for child with acquired brain injury

[RedSauceSpaghetti]

Long story short, she is 5 and has ataxia (disjointed co-ordination) due to a brain tumour. She is now tumour-free and has absolutely smashed all of her recovery expectations (she was paralysed initially and told she wouldn't walk again. But a year on, she is now walking, running, scooting, climbing and generally being an absolute rockstar). She wants to re-learn to ride a bike, but she has issues controlling her right leg, can be a little off-balance, and has use of only one hand (give or take). She also suffers from chronic fatigue.

I am assuming a trike of some sort would work best - is it possible to get an e-trike? I'm thinking this would help her to go further before she tires too much. Are there contraptions to keep her leg on the pedal? She will be able to use this leg for propulsion if she doesn't have to place it (she has full strength but limited control - this is why she can walk etc).

Any advice for specialist bikes/bike shops/experts etc would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

I'd suggest speaking to Cerebra

or possibly

Whizz Kidz

or ask your physio what local services you have in your area. Lots of charities supporting things like this are local services only.

Have you heard of Charlotte's tandems? Maybe a starting point.

Thank you both. I hadn't heard of any of these. I will look into them/get in touch and also speak to physio/OT.

https://www.miltoncountrypark.org/youcanbiketoo

This project runs sessions to learn/ tryout bikes in Cambridge, you can scroll through the bikes they have near the bottom of the page.

@Crumbcatcher oh! They're only around an hour away from us. Thank you!

There are lots of ways bikes can be adapted, I'm a one functioning arm cyclist myself. cyclists fighting cancer can both fund an adapted trike and organise an assessment of what is needed as well- they are a great charity

I found Charlotte's tandems far too much paperwork and difficult to access with all the red tape and rules.

We went for a tomcat trike instead. Would recommend. There's therapy trikes too, cheaper I think

Talk to Kidvelo bikes.. they do balance bikes for bigger kids, and balance bikes that you can add pedals too. Might be just the thing :-)

kidvelobikes.co.uk/

My son had a tomcat trike, they have a page on their website for ideas to help with funding.

Have a look at and chat with Wheels for Wellbeing - someone there will be able to help you I'm sure. If you are anywhere near London and Herne hill velodrome you can go and ride their bikes (it's not that steep and they have a kids track in the middle)