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Dear
Reader,
I'd like
to tell you a true story that illustrates how the Step 'n Go Cycle will
change forever your perceptions about cycling for people with a
disability. One summer we offered Step 'n Go Cycles for rent on the
beautiful boardwalk at Ocean City, NJ. Everybody rents a bike or surrey
to explore the 3 mile stretch of shops and sandy beach, but the Step 'n
Go was new and different and people lined up to experience the
excitement of riding one. One morning, a father came along with his
young daughter in a wheelchair "Do you mind if we try your
bike?" he asked. I adjusted the Step 'n Go to her size and soon
they were off, she riding with Dad walking alongside.
The
hour went by and they returned, tired but happy. At the same time, an
athletic young man barreled in, drenched in sweat from a strenuous
workout on the Step 'n Go. He smiled at the little girl as if to say 'it’s
great we both had fun on the bike, regardless of our size.' Just then,
the father retrieved his daughter’s wheelchair and brought it close to
the bike. The exerciser’s jaw literally fell open in disbelief. He had
no idea she had a disability and, for one hour on the boardwalk, neither
did she nor anyone else. |
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I
had no idea that Step 'n Go would have such a powerful impact on people’s
lives when I first saw the prototype for this remarkable cycle in 1992.
My first inkling came when we co-sponsored a Human Powered Vehicle Fun
Ride to celebrate ingenious methods that move people under their own
power. One family who lived 200 miles away heard about the event and
drove all the way in hopes they would find a bike their eight-year-old
daughter could ride. She has cerebral palsy and walks with the aid of
forearm crutches. After I adjusted a Step 'n Go for her, she stepped on
and said, "Here Dad, hold my crutches!" Then she took off so
fast we had to run to catch up with her. At that moment, I realized the
potential of Step 'n Go to create a new world of freedom and
independence. My vision has never changed - it’s only been reinforced
by experiences like those described in this site.
Step 'n
Go isn’t just for kids. I recently received a call from a 50 year old
woman with cerebral palsy who'd seen the Step 'n Go on the Pinellas
Trail in Dunedin, Florida. Her husband chased down the rider to find out
if his wife could give it a try. After the test ride she said, "It
was the greatest thrill to be able to make it go. I've tried and tried
to design a bike I could ride, but you've done it! To me, Step 'n Go
means fun and independence."
Not
everyone can ride the Step 'n Go, but an amazing number of people with
challenging disabilities have found it to be just what they were looking
for - fun, freedom and fitness. The secret to its success is in the
flexibility of the step action design, which automatically responds to
the rider's natural range of motion. This allows Step 'n Go users to
celebrate the abilities they have with a genuine sense of
accomplishment.
My
mission is to match this unique cycle with folks who will enjoy and
benefit from riding it. I welcome the opportunity to create the custom
adaptations and accessories needed by people with different abilities.
If you, or someone you know, find biking difficult or impossible, or are
excited about trying a totally new kind of cycle, please read on and
then give us a call. I'd love to talk with you and help you decide if
Step 'n Go is what you've been looking for, too.
And
please, when you call, don't hesitate to ask me, "Do you mind if I
try your bike?"
Sincerely,
Stu
Lindsay
President,
Step 'n Go Cycles |
