On this page, we will tell you briefly about the AmTryke.  We are presenting this a question / answer format.  If you have any additional questions about AMBUCS not covered here, please contact kusche821@aol.com.  After you are done reading this, you should read About BA Dreamers.

I..What is AmTryke?
II..Who will the
    AmTryke benefit?
III..What size child
     will an AmTryke
     fit?
IV..Supervising Play.
V..Why Is The
    Turning Radius
    Restricted?
VI..Changing the
     Turning Radius.

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     The AmTryke is a certain type of tricycle that helps children with certain disabilities be able to ride a bike.  Perhaps these pictures will help discribe this bike better:

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      This tricyle will benefit children with low tone or paralysis of lower extremities (like spina bifida) and also children with cerebral palsy who need to build up normal muscle tone and control.  The benefits include increased coordination, improved muscle strength, and improved balance.

      Some children with mild coordination and balance problems can benefit from using the AmTryke.  They are usually the ones who can not ride a bicycle or tricycle.  Some children have progressed from the AmTryke to a regular bicycle with training wheels.  Other have begun to walk with less assistive devices.

      The general age range seems to be three to eight years for the regular 12" front wheel size and seven to pre-teen or early teen years for the large 16" front wheel size.  It does depend on your child's size and strength.  The AmTryke is sturdily built, weighs 40 pounds on the regular size and 55 pounds for the large size, and it does take some strength to power it.  As a development tool, you may find it requires that someone acts as a helper until your child learns to ride and builds the strength needed.

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      Remember you didn't jump on your first bike and ride away into the sunset.  It took some prace and learning; your child will need some help.  It will be fun to work together in learning a new skill.

Children should be supervised since the child is strapped onto the AmTryke.  A smooth, level surface is preferred.  The AmTryke has a restricted turning radius, and a child may have to back up to change directions.  The AmTryke may turn over if the ruding surface isn't level.  A helmet is strongly recommended for safe riding.  When the child is fatigued, he should be removed.  Kids can ride daily as any normal child would.

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      The turning radius can be restricted three ways: 1)straight ahead steering, 2)twenty degrees from straight-ahead, or 3) full turning radius.  This is because it takes some practice and strength to steer the AmTryke when using the hand crank.  For kids with less strength, you may want to consider restricting the turning radius ahead.  This keeps the front wheel from turning back and forth as a child pedals.

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      Based on the strength of the child you may opt for one of the three steering options, 1) straight-ahead 2) twenty degree turning radius, or 3) full turning radius.
 

1. With 2 #12 self tapping hex-headed screws on opposite sides of the sidewall of the main vertical steering shaft, the AmTryke has NO turning radius, it only travels straight ahead.

2. Twenty degree turning radius- left side #12 self-tapping hex-headed screw in place.

3. Full turning radius-both #12 self tapping hex headed screws are removed.
 

NOTE: Store the screws in a safe place so that if in the future you wish to restrict the turning radius you may do so by simply re-installing the scews in the steering shaft side walls.

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