The Premise. Paraplegics, quadriplegics and other disabled people are less mobile than the rest of us not necessarily because of their disabilities, but because there aren’t enough creative modes of transportation made for them. Designers need to think outside of the box more to accommodate the needs of everyone.
The Product. The Horizon Electric Bike is an electrically powered all-terrain trike that has three different riding modes. Power either comes solely from electricity, from pedaling and electricity or from hand power and electricity. That being said, the bike comes with different customization options. The rider can choose between foot pedals, hand pedals or a foot tray and standard handles or tri-pin handles depending on hand mobility. Horizon’s three wheels makes balancing a non-issue. Also, the seat of the trike is reclined, making it a comfortable ride for anyone, and rises for easier mounting and dismounting. The handles can be removed for possible side entry if necessary.
The Pitch. The Horizon’s Kickstarter campaign features a heartwarming video with testimonials from people of various physical capabilities who love using the bike. One of the men, Chris, suffered from a broken neck at the age of 17 and loves using the Horizon bike because it allows him to enjoy cycling again. The video does a great job of showing how the bike can be enjoyed by people of all different physical states. Horizon hopes to raise $100,000 in its 30 day campaign.
The Perks. One Horizon trike goes for $7,950 with an estimated delivery date of December 2014. Each trike is completely customizable, giving backers the choice of which handles and pedals they’d like to use as well as options for engraving.
The Potential. The Horizon Electric Bike is cool for a number of reasons. Its creators really thought about accessibility in the bike from the custom pedals and handles to the built-in ease of entry and exit. The bike also comes with a decent amount of power and speed behind it. Best of all, it’s accessible for the physically disabled, but can also be used by everyone. There is truly nothing else out there quite like it. The price tag may be a bit high, but the versatility the Horizon offers can’t be ignored.