A group of childhood friends came up with the idea of an adapted bicycle after realizing that a friend with a vision disability was being excluded.
“Los Lobos” are 7 friends, about 55 years old, from the Los Lobos Cultural Center that get together for weekly bicycle rides. They adapted a bicycle into a double bicycle so that their friend Carli, who has a vision disability, could pedal in the back while another person pedals and drives in the front.
Pablo Alonso, aka “Monkey” expressed their glee in making sure Carli was included in their treks. “For us it was a joy that he could join the outings or that the bike helped him to go out with his wife, and physical activity is something we all need,” he said.
This bicycle adaptation has become the prototype for several bicycles that are going to be donated to children with different disabilities.
“Our idea was not to make a bicycle of those that have a ramp and the disabled person goes up without interacting, but we wanted him to also have the possibility of pedaling even with his hands, so we made a kind of tricycle,” added Monkey.
“Los Lobos” received donations of broken and disassembled bicycles from José Etchart, secretary of Public Spaces of La Plata. The talented Hipólito Recard welded and assembled the wheels so that they would once again be functional for people with disabilities.
Constructing an adapted bicycle requires one to two days. Some were designed so that the person behind the driver sits in a seat with a backrest and moves the pedals with their hands, as if they were rowing.
Although the group looks for recycled materials to use in the reconstruction, making the structure of the adapted bicycles requires the purchase of six-meter poles, which cost about 3000 pesos – this makes two bicycles. The group does not accept cash donations. They ask those who wish to collaborate to donate material or labor.
“The four [bicycles] we put together with donations from the Tolosa Police Station, they were pieces that had been put away for 20 years. We use the frames, the wheels, we put together almost everything without spending a dollar,” said Monkey.
“Los Lobos” are thrilled to know that their bicycles will make many children happy by being able to participate in a playful, fun and inclusive activity.
Those who want to join the project or make a donation of materials can contact the telephone number 15 572-6696 or go to the Los Lobos headquarters, located at 13th Avenue, between 527 and 529, from 9 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon.
