Disabled cycling includes competitions in track (velodrome) and on the roads, singles, and tandems for athletes who are blind or visually impaired, and on typical cycles and hand cycles for wheelchair users.

Track cycling for people with disabilities is very similar to its non-disabled counterpart, offering similar events in sprints, time trials, and relays. One difference is that tandem cycling is included for athletes who are blind or visually impaired. In tandem cycling, the captain is a sighted cyclist and sits at the front of the cycle; the stoker is the cyclist with the visual impairment and sits behind the captain on the cycle. Tandem hand cycles are available as well.

Similar to track cycling for people with disabilities, road racing offers the same competitions as its non-disabled counterpart. Road competitions include time trials and road races.

While competitive cycling is for more advanced athletes, you must first learn to ride before you can compete. While learning to ride a bike is a difficult task for a non-disabled child, it is one that should not be withheld from a child with a disability. Whether the interest is recreational or grows into a competitive outlet, the opportunity should be offered and can be done at the same age as it is for a child's non-disabled peer.

Who Can Participate

Cycling is available to athletes in the following categories:

• amputees
• blind/visually impaired
• spinal cord injured/wheelchair
• cerebral palsy/brain injury/stroke