An inventor in Bend, Oregon came up with a solution for hikers who use wheelchairs. Geoff Babb hasn’t walked in more than 14 years, after he had a stroke. He found that it was difficult — if not impossible — to hike with a wheelchair. So he took it upon himself to find a solution for himself and others like him.
He built a prototype for an all-terrain wheelchair and spent hours testing it on Bend-area trails with the help of friends and family, Oregon Public Broadcasting reports.
“Look at the river, the serviceberry, the color,” Babb told OPB. “The sun is out. There’s no way we could get back here with a regular wheelchair.”
Babb found that existing all-terrain wheelchairs didn’t suit his needs — some are too frail, others require upper body strength, and motorized options aren’t allowed on many trails. So he set out to create a better option for himself and for people like him who enjoy the outdoors but have disabilities.
He calls it the AdvenChair, a mountain bike-inspired product that has treaded tires, handlebars, and disc brakes. It requires help from at least one other person, who helps push, pull, and steer the rider.
“The AdvenChair is not based on wheelchair parts,” Babb said. “It's based on mountain bike components, ... [which] are more durable than wheelchair parts and less expensive.”
They’re pitching the product to tourism companies that lead adventure trips for people with disabilities. Consumers can order their own AdvenChair on their website, advenchair.com.