Help a physically-handicapped person become mobile!

Hand-powered Tricycles

A hand-powered tricycle allows a physically handicapped person to become mobile. While battery-powered versions are more popular and easily available in western countries, hand-powered tricycles are more appropriate for countries like India because of low acquisition and maintenance costs. These tricycles are also easier to assemble than the more technologically advanced versions.

Two handicapped BPA staff members showing up for work on a tricycle.

Why are most people unable to afford them?

Bicycles are extremely popular in India and a standard version costs around $40.

Even though hand-powered tricycles are extremely valuable for the physically handicapped, because of limited market size they are not manufactured commercially which leads to higher prices. At $85, they are out of reach from most of the handicapped people who come from lower economic classes.

BPA’s tricycle assembly unit in Ahmedabad

BPA runs its own tricycle assembly unit in Ahmedabad where tricycles are assembled for distribution to internal beneficiaries and also for supplying to other non-profits and distribution channels.

A worker at the BPA tricyle assembly unit in Ahmedabad

The hand-powered tricycle uses a lot of spare parts that are commonly used in standard bicycles. In order to keep costs down, BPA outsources the supply of these spare parts to manufacturers in Ludhiana, Punjab (North India) which is a major hub for bicycle manufacturing in India.

A worker putting finishing touches on a tricycle at the BPA assembly unit

At BPA’s workshop, the key component that is fabricated is the tricycle chassis.

The tricycle chassis

Why should you donate a tricycle?

By donating a hand-powered tricycle, you would allow a physically handicapped person to become mobile and as a result, more productive. This would allow the person to move independently and enable him to pursue his studies or work without the assistance of his or her family members.