SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA CO. (WOLF) — For most, learning to ride a bike is a fundamental part of childhood, but for someone with physical or mental disabilities riding a traditional bike can be challenging to nearly impossible. Thankfully, that’s where the Bike buddy program comes in.
“The bike buddy program is, our initiative is to get people out and give them an opportunity to enjoy cycling,” said President of Individual Abilities in Motion Joe Salva.
Started by the nonprofit ‘Individual Abilities in Motion’ and in collaboration with Lackawanna Heritage Valley, they have a variety of cycles for everyone from upright hand cycles, to recumbent bikes, and different types of tandem bikes.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Scranton Area School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing took a field trip to the trail head, getting on bikes and hitting the road. Daniel is a student there and owns a mobility bike at home. He said he was excited for his class to try them out.
“I am excited for them, for this year with the bikes that we’re going to see today.”
All the students, regardless of the barriers, were able to put the petals to the pavement and have a fun time. For the nonprofit, it’s a perfect example of the joy more accessible options in a community can bring.
“We really just feel that everybody has a right to enjoy recreational opportunities, and adaptive cycling is one of those things that we’d like to get people, give them a chance to do.,” explained Salva. “Cycles tend to be really expensive and there’s various hurdles that can make it challenging for an individual to do it on their own. So, we’re just trying to provide an opportunity that, to help bridge the gap.”
Both the county and the organization hopes that programs like these become more accessible than ever, so everybody, no matter what, can ride a bike.