Who will the AmTryke
benefit?
This tricycle will benefit children with low muscle tone
(like spina bifida) and also children with cerebral palsy who need to
build up normal muscle tone and control. The benefits include increased
coordination, improved muscle strength, and improved balance.
Some children with
mild coordination and balance problems can benefit from using the
AmTryke. They are usually the ones who can not ride a bicycle or
tricycle. Some children have progressed from the AmTryke to a regular
bicycle with training wheels. AmTrykes have also shown to help children
walk with less assistive devices..
What size child will
an AmTryke fit?
The general age range seems to be three to eight years
for the regular 12" front wheel size and seven to pre-teen or early teen
years for the large 16" front wheel size. It does depend on your child’s
size and strength. Each AmTryke is sturdy built. The regular size weighs
40 pounds and the larger size weighs 55 pounds. It does take some
strength to power it. As a therapeutic tool, someone may need to act as
a helper until the child learns to ride and builds the strength needed.
Supervising Play
Remember you didn’t jump on your first bike and ride
away into the sunset. It took some practice and learning; your child
will need some help. It will be fun to work together in learning a new
skill.
Children should be
supervised since the child is strapped onto the AmTryke. A smooth, level
surface is preferred. The AmTryke has a restricted turning radius, and a
child may have to back up to change directions. The AmTryke may turn
over if the riding surface isn’t level. A helmet is strongly recommended
for safe riding. When the child is fatigued, he should be removed. Kids
can ride daily as any normal child would.
Why is the turning
radius restricted?
The turning radius can be restricted three ways: 1)
straight ahead steering 2) twenty degrees from straight-ahead, or 3)
full turning radius. It takes some practice and strength to steer the
AmTryke, when using the hand cranks. For kids with less strength, you
may want to consider restricting the turning radius to straight ahead.
This keeps the front wheel from turning back and forth as the child
pedals.
Changing the Turning
Radius
Based on the strength of the child, you may opt for one
of the three steering, options: 1) No turning radius 2) twenty degree
turning radius, or 3) full turning radius.
-
No turning radius-
With 2 #12 self-tapping hex-headed screws on opposite sides of the
sidewall of the main vertical steering shaft, the AmTryke has no
turning radius; it only travels straight ahead.
-
Twenty degree
turning radius- Left side #12 self-tapping hex-headed screw in place.
-
Full turning radius- Both #12 Self-tapping hex headed screws are
removed.
NOTE: Store
the screws in a safe place so that, if in the future you wish to
restrict the turning radius, you may do so by simply re-installing the
screws in the steering shaft side walls.
Important!
Important!
Feel free to adapt the AmTryke to your child. Add on
anything that will help it work for your child, or take off anything
your child does not need. We have had parents and therapists remove the
pedal cups, add Velcro straps for the wrist, and add blocks to the
pedals for short legs.
Reversing the
foot/pedal relationship
Some therapists like to reverse the relationship between
the foot pedals and the hand cranks. The only way to accomplish this is
to remove the chain guard, unfasten the chain, rotate the hand cranks
one half turn, and reassemble the chain and guard. Any local bicycle
shop can easily do this. If you are reasonably mechanical, you can do it
yourself. |
