By Erasmus Baxter
The Associated Students Outdoor Center offers equipment to make it possible for many students to explore land, water and snow. Now, the Outdoor Center staff are trying to make sure all have a chance at adventure.
Stephen Magnuson is the Outdoor Center Programs Coordinator and participated in buying an adaptable bicycle that is pedaled by hand.
“We had some… discretionary funds that we chose to put towards an area we haven’t served as much on campus,” Magnuson said. “We have every tool for getting outside for people who are able-bodied, so [now we’re] looking at serving a greater number of people on campus. The adaptive bike we brought in last year is an attempt to provide more offerings for anyone with any sort of lower body mobility limitations.”
In addition, the Outdoor Center is currently working on plans to make their Challenge Course more accessible, as well as the Lakewood boathouse. They plan to have more accessible parking underway within a year, and are discussing other modifications with disAbility Resources for Students, including possibly a lift, according to Magnuson.
In the meantime, the adaptive bike, or hand cycle, is available to rent at the Outdoor Center free of charge.
Magnuson says the Outdoor Center worked with disAbility Resources for Students and the AS Disability Outreach Center to choose a good model.
“One of the nice things is that it sits a lot higher up off the ground than a lot of the other hand cycles so it’s easier to do transfers for anyone who would potentially be in a wheelchair,” Magnuson said. “As well as [being] just a little bit more user friendly for anyone overall who may or may not have ever experienced a hand cycle before.”
Unfortunately, there have been no rentals yet. A fact Magnuson attributes to stigma, a lack of awareness, and Bellingham’s steep hills.
“There’s often sometimes the perceptions of riding a hand cycle where people don’t want to be the center of attention,” Magnuson said.
The Outdoor Center is currently collaborating with disAbility Resources for Students to raise awareness about the bike.
“There [are] not a ton of people on campus with a need for an adaptive cycle. However, those individuals are out there,” he said.
Magnuson also emphasizes that bike is available to all students, including those who are able bodied.
“While the intention is to provide for students who do have a need base for it there are lots of different needs the hand cycle could meet outside of being paraplegic,” Magnuson said. “All the way to somebody who just has a broken foot, but still wants to get out and be able to cruise around on a cycle of some sort.”
“Taking it up on the track, or doing it just around campus is a great place to take it out.”
The Outdoor Center payed over $3,000 for the bike out of its budget, according to Magnuson.
