ParaFed Canterbury

Phone (03) 385 4449   Fax (03) 385 4425

Email info@parafedcanterbury.co.nz

Sport and Recreation for people with physical disabilities

Paralympic cycling is identical to that of the Olympic Games. Blind athletes compete with sighted guides on tandem bicycles, ambulant and cerebral palsy athletes compete on standard bicycles or bicycles that are specifically designed to meet their needs. The competition programme includes track and road events for individuals and teams with sprints, individual pursuits, 1000m time trial, road races and road time trials.  Events are available for both men and women, with the cyclists’ grouped together according to their functional ability.

Cycling is not an adapted sport and the technical regulations of the International Cycling Union (UCI) are used at all cycling competitions. The only rules which are different are IPC Cycling rules relating to adapted cycles and equipment as necessary for safety reasons.

Hand cycling is for athletes who normally require a wheelchair for general mobility, or athletes who are not able to use a conventional bicycle or tricycle because of severe lower limb disability.

Classification Overview

The Classification system for cycling follows;

- 1 classes for athletes with a visual impairment (tandem bicycle)

- 4 classes for people with cerebral palsy (2 bicycle classes, 2 tricycle classes)

- 4 classes for people who have locomotor disorders and who can ride a conventional bicycle.

- 3 classes for hand cycling