December 2024 – Parks & Recreation - 13

Outdoors for All
Montgomery Parks' Adaptive Mountain Biking
Program expands access to off-road biking
By Marika Carley
O
n a warm, muggy and slightly overcast Saturday morning in
early August, an excited crowd gathered in Wheaton Regional
Park in Wheaton, Maryland, to try out Montgomery Parks'
new collection of adaptive mountain bikes. The group was attending
the inaugural event of the department's free Adaptive Mountain
Biking Program, designed exclusively for individuals with disabilities to
experience the thrill of mountain biking.
Recreation for All
" I think the most exciting aspect of
our program is that it's a communitybased
therapeutic recreation initiative
designed to meet the diverse
needs of people with a wide range
of disabilities, " says Jennene Blakely,
program access manager at Montgomery
Parks. " From my research,
only a few parks and recreation agencies
offer this type of programming,
and we're proud to have expanded
our fleet of bicycles to include adaptive
equipment to meet those needs. "
The department purchased two
adaptive mountain bikes: a " Lasher, "
a recumbent all-terrain handcycle
with e-assist, and a " TerraTrike, "
an all-terrain foot pedal
bike with e-assist. Three certified
adaptive mountain bike instructors
were on hand to guide and assist
riders, and formally trained, experienced
mountain biker volunteers
rode alongside participants.
" There are people here who are
amputees, are autistic, have spinal
cord injuries, and physical, intellectual
and developmental disabilities, "
explains Blakely. " We have
such incredible mountain biking
opportunities
in
Montgomery
County. We are excited to be able
to provide this unique program and
adaptive equipment so that all people
can access our trails! "
A Fun Way to Get Out and
Enjoy Our Parks
Several participants noted that they
appreciated the program because it
allowed them to access the expensive
equipment. " A bike like this is
just out of reach for so many people, "
observes rider Matthew Nolte.
The adaptive bikes will be available
for future use at upcoming Montgomery
Parks' Roots to Rocks programs,
which aim to increase access
to mountain biking through safe and
fun mountain biking opportunities.
" We hope to host events throughout
the year to introduce people to
the sport and then invite people to
join us at select locations throughout
the year alongside our trained
volunteers, " says Blakely.
Montgomery Parks is committed
to upholding the integrity of the
Americans with Disabilities Act
and its mission to offer individuals
with disabilities " respect and
dignity while engaging in leisure
pursuits to enhance their quality
of life. " The program also supports
Montgomery Parks' mission
Montgomery Parks' Adaptive Mountain Biking Program is
designed exclusively for individuals with disabilities to experience
the thrill of mountain biking.
to promote physical activity, social
connectivity and environmental
stewardship.
" It [the program] provides freeparticipant
dom, "
says
Mark
Flounlacker.
" I use a wheelchair for
most of my mobility and that's not
a very useful tool in the woods! "
While there are a few minimum
eligibility requirements to participate
to ensure a safe experience -
such as, riders must be able to hold
their heads upright without head or
neck support, transfer in and out
of the bike independently or with
some assistance, and make safe
cognitive decisions in a fast-paced
environment - the program was a
rousing success for those who met
the criteria. One participant notes,
" It's a fun way to get out and enjoy
our parks. My favorite part is getting
off the pavement. "
For the 15 participants and 30plus
volunteers who took to the
trails,
it was an exhilarating and
freeing experience.
Marika Carley is Public Relations and
Outreach Specialist at Montgomery Parks
(marika.carley@montgomeryparks.org).
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | DECEMBER 2 0 2 4 | Parks & Recreation
13
PHOTO COURTESY OF MONTGOMERY PARKS (MARYLAND)
December 2024 – Parks & Recreation

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