Dezeen Magazine

Paralympic design: competitive handcycles

Athletes without the use of their lower body use cycles propelled by hand pedals in the road cycling events at the London 2012 Paralympics.

Paralympic design: competitive handcycles

The tricycles sit low to the ground with one wheel at the front and two at the back to aid stability, and possible seating positions include sitting, kneeling or lying.

Paralympic design: competitive handcycles

Custom knee/seat buckets are included in the Kneeler models used by the most able-bodied athletes, while Para Kneeler cycles designed for athletes with paraplegia have custom cages and adjustable kneel upholstery.

Paralympic design: competitive handcycles

The pictured handcycles by Top End have frames built from reinforced aluminium and wheels made of carbon fibre.

Road cycling at the London 2012 Paralympics takes place at Brands Hatch, with time trials on Wednesday 5 September and races on Friday 7 September.

See all our stories about design for Paralympic athletes »