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Velomobility for Disability

RESEARCH INVESTIGATORS
  • Lead investigator: Dr Glen Norcliffe, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change, York University, Toronto, Canada
  • Co-investigator: Dr Annika Kruse, Assistant Professor, Institute of Human Movement Science, Sport and Health, University of Graz, Austria
  • Co-investigator: Alies Poetri Lintangsari, Lecturer in Inclusive Education, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia; Doctoral Candidate, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
  • Co-investigator: Dr Sugiono Sutopawiro, Professor of Industrial Engineering, Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia
FUNDING

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada

PROJECT PERIOD

2023–2025

velomobility-for-disability-2024
Mary Norcliffe photograph
PROJECT SUMMARY

This project examines both the makers and of users of a wide range of adaptive cycles, asking how cycle designs for persons with a disability are developed, whether users contribute to design, and to what extent they meet users’ needs.   In what ways do adaptive cycles assist the velomobility of persons with a disability, and what design features are not helpful?  Recent technical developments, including new light and strong materials, e-assist, and various electronic devices have made velomobility a possibility for a widening range of disabilities.  The study will compare the experiences of makers and users in Indonesia with those in Canada and Western Europe.

ETHICS

Project members wish to avoid ableist perspectives by listening to the users of adaptive cycles, identifying their needs, and endorsing crip assessments of the needs for mobility. The questionnaires were developed by speaking with makers (many of whom are either disabled or have family members who are disabled), and with users or their caregivers (not all users are verbal). The project proposal has been carefully assessed by York University’s Ethics Review Board and approved in November 2023. Contact the Research Team


Glen Norcliffe, Principal Investigator | Professor Norcliffe is the project team leader. He is an economic geographer who has taught at York University since 1970. Learn more about Professor Norcliffe and his work

Contact: gnorclif[at]yorku.ca

Glen Norcliffe

Annika Kruse, Co-investigator | Dr Kruse is assistant professor in the field of “physical activity and public health” at the Institute of Human Movement Science, Sport and Health at the University of Graz. For almost a decade, she has mainly worked with individuals with cerebral palsy.

Contact: annika.kruse[at]uni-graz.at


Sugiono Sutopawiro, Co-investigator | Dr Sutopawiro is a Universitas Brawijaya engineering professor and a former committee member of its Center for Disability Studies.

Contact: sugiono_ub[at]ub.ac.id


Alies Poetri Lintangsari, Co-investigator | A lecturer at Universitas Brawijaya, Alies is also a research associate in AIDRAN (Australia Indonesia Disability Research and Advocacy Network). She is pursuing a PhD at Monash University, Australia.

Contact: alieslintang[at]ub.ac.id


Hanna Stefanie Auer, Research Assistant |Hanna is currently undertaking her Master studies in teaching sports and physics at the University of Graz and is working with Professor Kruse.

Contact: hanna.auer[at]edu.uni-graz.at

Hanna Stefanie Auer Headshot



Neha Basnet
, Research Assistant | Neha is a Master’s student in the Environmental Studies program at York University. Neha and her husband, Darshan, came to Canada from Nepal in August 2023. Neha has worked with disabled people in Nepal.

Contact: nbasnet[at]yorku.ca

Neha Basnet headshot


Habibul Ichwan, Research Assistant | Habibul is working with Professor Sutopawiro. He runs fast-track bachelor and master programs in industrial engineering at Brawijaya University.

Contact: habibichwan[at]student.ub.ac.id

Habibul Ichwan


Mahalli M. Sos, Research Assistant | Mahalli is the accessibility expert at the Center for Disability Services, Universitas Brawijaya and manager of media and communication for AIDRAN, the Australia Indonesia Disability Research and Advocacy Network.

Contact: mahallism[at]ub.ac.id

Mahali M Sos


Nina Mosser, Research Assistant | Nina Mosser is a PhD student in Public Health at the University of Graz.

Contact: nina.mosser[at]uni-graz.at


Related Publications
  • Glen Norcliffe, Ron Buliung, Annika Kruse and John Radford: “Disability and cycling technology: A socio-historical analysis.” Disability Studies Quarterly, Vol. 42(1).  Open access at: https://dsq-sds.org/article/view/8276/7609 .
  • Annika Kruse and Glen Norcliffe (2023): “A history of therapeutic cycles for persons with impairment.”  Cycle History 31, pp. 30-34.
  • Norcliffe, Glen, Ron Buliung, Annika Kruse, and John Radford. 2022. “Disability and Cycling Technology: A Socio-historical Analysis.” Disability Studies Quarterly 41(1) on-line, Open access.
  • Jessica Martinez, Rose Moulton, Glen Norcliffe and John Radford (2024) “(Dis)ability and Geography.” Ch 11:  “How to Foster Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in Geography”, edited by Geo Chen and LaToya Eaves (Leamington Spa: Edward Elgar) pp. 143-155.
  • Nina Mosser, Glen Norcliffe, Annika Kruse: “The impact of cycling on the physical and mental health of people with disabilities.”Gait & Posture, September 2024