ATVs For People With Disabilities
While traditional mobility aids like wheelchairs and walkers can give people with disabilities a lot more independence than they might enjoy otherwise, they are typically designed more for indoor use and don’t function well in the great outdoors. For people with mobility impairments that still want to enjoy nature, ATVs can provide a surprising alternative. For more on how ATVs can help people with disabilities, read this quick guide from the powersports experts at Exxxtreme Cycles.
How ATVs Help People With Disabilities
While quads are usually seen as a vehicle for thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies, they can actually be quite useful for people with disabilities. While most mobility scooters and other such devices are designed only for indoor use, an ATV can handle almost anything a trail can throw at it. ATVs can also help those who enjoyed a thrill-seeking lifestyle prior to their condition re-capture that feeling of excitement.
Modifications
Part of the reason that four-wheelers are so great for people with mobility impairments is that they often require no modifications to be used in this manner, keeping costs relatively low. However, certain conditions may make changes necessary, such as allowing users to operate the ATV using a finger, elbow, or chin rather than their hands, or by installing harnesses to help secure the rider. If you have any questions about which ATV models are the easiest to modify, or about what kinds of modifications and accessories your condition might necessitate, don’t hesitate to ask one of our staff members.
Hunting
Unfortunately, most traditional hunting grounds offer little in the way of accessibility for wheelchair users and others with mobility impairments. ATVs are excellent for hunters with mobility impairments because they both provide an easy way to get to the hunting spot and make transporting gear far simpler.
Going To The Beach
Sand is another thing that traditional mobility aids often struggle to overcome. The little granules tend to get caught in the wheels of a wheelchair or mobility scooter, necessitating a lengthy cleaning process. In contrast, most ATVs don’t require much more modification than swapping out the general-purpose tires with sand tires in order to hit the beach. This can allow a person with a mobility impairment to enjoy a day at the beach with their family and friends in far more comfort than they would otherwise.
We here at Exxxtreme Cycles want everyone to be able to enjoy the great outdoors! To view ATV models or to learn even more about how they can benefit people with disabilities, visit us at one of our two locations. We operate dealerships in both La Feria and Peñitas, Texas. We welcome guests from all over, including those from communities like Brownsville, Texas.