Brisbane's spinal unit patients try hand cycling

Patients in the Spinal Unit at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, Australia, will get the opportunity to try Hand cycling on Wednesday, October 24 at the velodrome at the Sleeman Sports Centre, Chandler. The initiative, between the PA Hospital, Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association and Cycling Queensland will allow patients with spinal injuries to get out in the Queensland sunshine and meet local confirmed Hand cyclists. The initiative is intended to encourage the patients to try the sport and hopefully take it up in the future.

Hand cycling is for athletes who normally require a wheelchair for general mobility or athletes who cannot use a conventional bicycle or tricycle. They are categorized based upon the placement of their break, in either A, B or C classifications.

Queensland is hosting its first State Hand cycling Championships in 2007, and is only the third State in Australia to embark on a State Championship event for Hand cyclists in a bid to increase competitive opportunities for athletes with a disability and increase the profile of Hand cycling as a sport. In South East Queensland, a current SEQ Racing Tour is held for hand cyclists between April and September.

The Spinal Unit visit to the Chandler Velodrome will be held from 1.30-3pm. For more information, please contact Alex Bright at alex.bright@cycling.org.au.