Cyclists Scott Brody and Kap Grost enjoy a ride around Magnuson Park on Outdoors for All’s adaptive trikes. Photo credit: Outdoors for All Blog stats: 650 words | 3-minute read
At-a-glance:
- Come experience the joy of cycling this summer with the Outdoors for All Foundation!
- A fleet of over 200 adaptive cycles is available for everyone in the community to use for free, with a focus on serving people with disabilities of all ages.
- SDOT funding helps make this program possible, using vendor permitting fees from our bike and scooter share program.
- How to participate:
- Dates: Daily from May 1 through September 30, then Wednesday-Sunday from October 1 through October 19 (closed on Memorial Day, 4th of July, & Labor Day)
- Hours: 10 AM to 6 PM (all riders must be back by 6 PM)
- Location: Magnuson Park in northeast Seattle
- Address: 6344 NE 74th St, Seattle, WA 98115 (Building 406)
- Know before you go:
- Bike availability is first-come, first-served
- Helmets are required for all riders, and provided if needed
- Program serves people ages 7 and up
- Group sizes are limited to 4 people
- 1 additional bike is available at no cost for a caregiver, friend, or family member.
- To learn more, please visit the Outdoors for All website (click on “Cycling/Biking” for helpful information about the rental program).
- If you have any questions, you can reach Outdoors for All at (206) 838-6030 or rentals@outdoorsforall.org.
With summer right around the corner, we’re excited to share this year’s Outdoors for All adaptive cycling program schedule! Outdoors for All offers adaptive cycle rentals for children and adults with disabilities at the Adaptive Cycling Center in Magnuson Park. We’re proud to partner with Outdoors for All and provide vital funding to support the program using vendor permit fees from Seattle’s bike and scooter share program.
The cycling center will be open 7 days a week from 10 AM to 6 PM (last rentals at 5 PM) starting May 1 and continuing through September 30, and then from Wednesday through Sunday October 1 through October 19! Note: the center will be closed on Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day.
The adaptive cycling program is just part of Outdoors for All’s work with the community to make outdoor activities more accessible and enjoyable for children and adults with disabilities. The spring and summer cycling program has one of the largest fleets of adaptive cycles in the country, with over 200 adaptive bikes.
Charles and Sacha Ellingson (pictured above) have been Adaptive Cycling participants with Outdoors for All since 2017. Here is what Charles had to say when asked about their adventures.
“My wife Sacha was paralyzed on her left side in 2016 as the result of a stroke. We began biking at the Adaptive Cycling Center of Outdoors for All in 2017 or 2018. It was an INSTANT HIT – staff was super supportive and the equipment included a pedal with an integrated leg brace so the paralyzed leg follows the more powerful leg around the pedaling circle.
Her favorite ride was a “tadpole” recumbent trike which she piloted independently once she was secured in the seat and pedals, Staff always asked Sacha to score her ride upon return – they were ALL TENS! Unfortunately, Sacha suffered other strokes in 2022 which partially blinded her and further reduced her coordination and strength. But Outdoors for All had other cycles we could use. We switched to a quad cycle side-by-side that can be piloted by either rider. Our dog Molly sits in a box between the humans.
Smiles all around for the old folks riding the quad cycle, the dog, and passersby. Come to think of it, staff are also always cheerful and smiling too. The ease of use and no cost in the recent summer cycling seasons is a big draw and makes us feel fortunate.”
Adaptive cycling equipment available includes:
- Handcycles for individuals with limited or no leg movement
- Recumbent and therapy trikes for those who need more stability
- Hand and foot-powered cycles for children
- Tandem cycles for individuals who want a guide while riding
- Standard 2-wheeled bicycles and Striders
This is the 7th year SDOT and Outdoors for All have been partners, with SDOT providing funds to ensure rentals are free for everyone who wants to experience cycling. This year also marks the 12-year anniversary of Outdoors for All sharing their adaptive cycling program with the community! Cheers to 12 years!
Bike Inclusion Day on May 17
On Saturday, May 17, Outdoors for All is hosting their first “Bike Inclusion Day” to celebrate May Bike Month and Bike Everywhere Day. They will provide guided rides around Magnuson Park and demonstrations with their adaptive mountain and gravel bikes.
Joining will be community partners from Cascade Bicycle Club, Bike Works, Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, Safe Routes to Schools, and SDOT staff to tell folks about other ways to get involved in the Seattle cycling community. The event is from 10 AM to 3 PM and is completely free and open to the public!
Did you know?
Our funding support of the Outdoor for All adaptive cycle rental program helped provide more than 870 rides to the community in the summer of 2024, totaling approximately 1,600 hours of riding. From 2019-2024, the program has reached more than 1,150 people who have collectively taken over 2,850 rides.
In addition to regular daily rental services, you can also stay tuned for several community events Outdoors for All will be attending this summer. Follow Outdoors for All and our SDOT social media accounts for the latest details (Outdoors for All and Seattle Department of Transportation).
Thanks for your interest, and we hope you can come take a ride soon!