GSIL

Alan Roy worked for many years as an all-around machinist and tool & die maker. This role honed his skills in designing, building, and troubleshooting intricate machinery. However, an injury in 2006 abruptly ended his career in his trade.

Years later, his primary care physician advised him to find a way to get more cardiovascular exercise. As an avid cyclist, he discovered handcycling, which became his new path to health and activity. “I don’t take sitting still easy,” he admitted, so he was constantly searching for a job he could manage despite his injury.

He tried various sales positions without much satisfaction. One evening, while scrolling through his social media, he noticed a recurring question in the adaptive sports and disability group pages: “How do you transport your Bike/Trike?” Typically, he would comment and move on, but that night, a particular exchange caught his attention. A user lamented, “After I get my bike and my racing chair in my car, I then have to get myself and my day chair in there and I have no room for anything else.” This comment struck a chord with him.

He turned off his social media and began sketching, measuring his handcycle, and embarking on a new design process. Drawing from his background in design, building, and troubleshooting, he spent about a year developing the Able Trike Rack Systems. This innovative trike rack could be installed and used directly from a wheelchair, initially designed for handcycles and racing chairs.

As word spread, people with various disabilities and different types of bikes started reaching out to him. The Able Trike Rack Systems provided a much-needed solution for transporting adaptive sports equipment, which was often a significant barrier. One customer shared that they felt left behind because others grew tired of helping them transport their bike/trike. Some even sold their handcycles, unable to transport them. With his creation of Able Trike Rack Systems, Alan has restored independence not only to himself but to many others as well. “We all need to get healthy and stay active,” he explained. “This not only puts you in control, it puts you back in touch with your community and gives you the opportunity to get involved.”

To learn more about Able Trike Rack Systems, visit www.ableracks.com or call 603-571-9674.