May 5, 2009 6:45 pm US/Central
Giving Disabled The Freedom To Ride
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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The motorcycle is fitted with what looks like tiny training wheels that stabilize the bike when it comes to a stop.
CBS
With graduation on Friday, some University of Minnesota seniors displayed their class projects. For one project, a group of five seniors came up with a way to fit a motorcycle so someone who is disabled, or even partially paralyzed, can ride one.
The motorcycle is fitted with what looks like tiny training wheels that stabilize the bike when it comes to a stop.
The idea was Andrew Hightower's. He wanted to help his friend Scott Tyson, a paraplegic, ride again.
"The finished project, how it performs, how fast it works, how robust it is, how strong it is, is all well beyond my expectations," said Hightower.
Tyson's legs were paralyzed in a motorcycle accident 16 years ago.
"Its incredibly exciting and I love the design," said Tyson. He said he can't wait to try the bike.
"It really is a huge deal. It was a big deal before my accident. Bikes were a big part of my life. Its hard to express the feeling of riding a motorcycle," said Tyson.
The team is in the process of applying for a patent. They are hoping there are commercial applications not just for disabled riders, but newer motorcycle riders or a rider who might want a little more stability.
One of the young designers, Tim Bettger, lost an arm 18 months ago when a drunk driver crashed into him as he was riding a motorcycle. He understands Tyson's passion to ride again.
"Returning to that sense of the freedom that motorcycling allows and also being able to do the same things that you did before the accident now is a huge sense of accomplishment," said Bettger.
The students spent four months on the project and built it using just $750 in parts.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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