Bikes represent fun, freedom, and fresh air — everything that’s good about being a kid. But for some kids, the prospect of owning or even riding a bike is only a dream.

Variety Alberta has partnered with various adaptive bike suppliers and grassroots organizations that support children with mobility restrictions and provide specially adapted bikes for their needs.

Together, we are helping children with special needs gain mobility, confidence, freedom, and independence by providing funding for adapted bikes to families with the most need.

Working with community partners, physical therapists and families, adaptive bikes are designed specifically for each individual to address motor skills, muscle strength and stability in addition to physical activity, fun, and freedom.

The benefits of a specialized bike are both physical and therapeutic, but the bikes can be expensive and cost up to $10,000, depending on the child’s needs, which is out-of-reach for many families. Beyond this initial expense, as the child grows and needs change, their bike needs to change with them. Variety supports bike exchange programs which allow bikes to be exchanged as the child grows.