How can I make a bicicle for a little boy who is an amputee?

Question

He is 8 years old and was in a horrible car crash a few months ago. I baby-sit him all the time and he is very upset that he can't ride his bike now. I am going to try to turn it into a motorized bike for him, any suggestions on how to do this I would apreciate.

Answer 1

Buy him a pocketbike. He will be the coolest kid on the streets with one of those. They sell gas which are fast ones for about $300 and electric ones which are a bit slower but still fast for about the same price. Try ebay or check if there is a local store that sells these.

Answer 2

Tandem bike? Oh, yeah, don't sweat the $ merchants will DONATE for publicity and people will chip in for a elc kit, bike, whatever. Newspaper will help you too.
You can purchase and install bicycle engine and/or motorized elec kits.
Many kits can be configure to run either the front or rear wheel. Look for a used elec kit on ebay. Engine with chain drive is best, but cost more.
Kmart now sells a elec powered Mongoose and some dealers have them.
Remember, though, ANY motor system ADDS some weight and raises the
center of gravity! These are some reasons the 1 guy suggested the new
"pocket" bikes. You'll probably get better answers IF you click the crayon below your question and ADD more details about his medical condition [lost 1 foot below ankle or both legs at hip?--makes a big difference. We all want to help you. God Bless! Greg PS: training wheels? Tandem bike?
email me if you'd like help--just click my avatar

Answer 3

You failed to mention which limb(s) he lost.

If he is a leg double amputee I think that you should forgo the motorized bike in favor of an "arm pedal" bike. Ultimately, he would steer and pedal with his arms. You can get a line on these from just about anyplace that deals with amputees. This will likely cost less than trying to motorize his existing bike.

If he is a leg single amputee there is still plenty of hope he can ride a regular bike with very minor modifications. Remove the pedal from the "bad" side, then install a pedal with toe clip and strap on the other side. He would "push and pull" with his remaining leg.

Either way it will take some effort but he can do it.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 4

Have a look into handcycles if you need too. Do a general search
on them. I've included a link so you can see what I mean.

Prosthetic limbs can work as long as there is enough left to work with(chaffing is a big concern). Many amputees get by with out it. Just use the one leg and a cycling cleat.(clipless pedal, a mountain bike style so it can pull out more easily.) I wouldn't recommend toe clip and straps.(If he is down to one leg)

There are a few links to power assisted kits that could help. It is a reasonably easy mod to limit the power output to something an eight year old could be trusted with. Check with your local laws, he might need a special permit(disability) to use it on the road. There is usually a general age restriction.

Good Luck

Answer 5

You can convert the pedal to a "toe clip". This way he can pull up as well as push down on the pedal. No need for a special shoe. It would also be helpful if gearing is lower and a back hub that freewheels. Make sure he has front and rear hand brakes.

Answer 6

the only main idea that comes to mind is buying an prosthetic leg, but that's expensive, if you tie down his good leg to the pedal he should be around to still pedal just takes a little harder work. Hope i could be of any help.


---James

Answer 7

kate go back to school and learn how to spell it is bicycle as for your question yes it can be done depending on what was lost arm or leg