Research

When I decided to modify a motorcycle for a paraplegic rider, I was by no means a motorcycle expert.

My background with motorcycles extended only to the fact that I had purchased a motorcycle in 2001 to use as a cheap mode of transport to and from university and to save myself from the parking hassles.

In the two years that followed, I fell in love with motorcycling and could well understand why Shane wanted to be able to ride again.

As every disability is different, all disabled riders will have unique needs.

To get an understanding of different disabilities, I began consulting a broad range of people such as rehabilitation engineers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, doctors and people with disabilities themselves.

Shane had a complete fracture of the 6th, 7th and 8th thoracic vertebrae (commonly known as T6, 7, 8 paraplegia), therefore my focus was on spinal injuries.

Research Findings

After researching both motorcycles and paraplegics, five main obstacles were identified that needed to be overcome before a paraplegic could ride a motorcycle.