Explore the Possible.

Working together to grow the sport of adaptive mountain biking.

Adaptive Trail Design Specs
Trail Signage
Members

What We Do

Advocate

Trails can be enjoyed by everyone, including people with disabilities. We show what’s possible.

Connect

We bring athletes and organizations together to create new and exciting adaptive experiences.

Educate

We help mountain biking clubs and trail organizations know what to do for inclusive trail sports.

Adaptive Trail Design Specs

Below is a list of non-negotiable features that will enable most adaptive mountain biking equipment to successfully access a trail.

Important:

These features are meant to be a starting point and should be considered the minimum standard. They may create difficulty for less experienced athletes and/or be challenging for athletes with varying physical abilities, so please consider exceeding these standards whenever possible.

Trail Width

  • Average: 48″ (1.2m)
  • Minimum: 40″ (1m)
  • Safety shoulder: 8″ (0.5m) minimum

Surface

  • Can be widely variable
  • Must be predictable
  • Majority: 95% compacted

Running Slope

  • 20% (11 degrees) or less
  • 8′ (2.5m) or more between rollers

Cross Slope

  • Straightaways: 8-14% (5-8 degrees) or less
  • Turns, berms, TTFs: 58% (30 degrees) or less
  • Safety shoulders: 33% (18.5 degrees) or less

Corner Radius

  • Straightaways: 20′ (6m) or more
  • Turns, berms, TTFs: 15′ (4.5m) or more
  • Exits lower than entries

Obstacles

  • Full width TTFs: 12″ or more
  • Partial width TTFs: 6″ or more

Bridges

  • If unavoidable: 48″ (1.2m) or wider
  • Wider if not straight

Exposure

  • Likely

These are based on the Adaptive Trail Standards from the Kootenay Adaptive Sports Association. Used with permission.

FYI: Adaptive Trails vs. ADA Trails

One of our focus points at the Adaptive Trails Coalition is promoting the building and modification of trails to be suitable for disabled athletes riding adaptive equipment alongside non-disabled peers. We do not focus on ADA-compliant trails and this information should not be perceived as such. ADA compliance requires wide and level paths of travel with solid surfaces that are suitable for use by everyday wheelchairs. Adaptive trails provide much more access to the great outdoors, but necessitate the use of adaptive equipment.

aMTB Equipment

There are lots of adaptive mountain bikes (aMTBs) on the market. The following are currently the most popular and the most versatile options that are ridden by adaptive athletes around the world. If you’re looking for a new aMTB for yourself or for a program that you’re part of, start here.

ReActive Hammerhead

Full-suspension offroad handcycle designed for riding in the prone position. Puts body weight over the crank set for added power. Electric assist optional.

Learn More: ReActive Adaptations

ReActive Mako

The ultimate, capable, rear wheel drive recumbent handcycle with suspension at all three wheels. Traction and hill climbing with a rear wheel drive recumbent handcycle are second to none. Electric assist included. Quad options.

Learn More: ReActive Adaptations

Bowhead Reach

Full-suspension, fully electric recumbent bike, ridden from a seated position. Plenty of power to keep up with able-bodied riders at speed. Articulating front end. No hand cranks. Quad options.

Learn More: Bowhead Corp

Bowhead RX

Recumbent rear wheel drive handcycle with full suspension and an articulating front end. Electric assist amplifies arm power up to 3.5x. Nimble and agile. Great for gravel, XC, and singletrack.

Learn More: Bowhead Corp

Sport-On Explorer

Full suspension offroad handcycle, ridden in prone position. Similar to the Hammerhead, but wider. Electric assist optional.

Learn More: Sport-On

Lasher ATH-FS

Full suspension magnesium frame handcyle. Adjustable depth and seat back angle. Front wheel drive. Electric assist optional.

Learn More: Lasher Sport

Trail Signage

Coming soon: our initiative to help trail managers indicate what trails are aMTB-friendly.

Members

Eric Gray, Founder & Executive Director of Catalyst Sports
Greg Durso, Program Director of the Kelly Brush Foundation
Joe Stone, Director of Mission of Teton Adaptive Sports
Mike Riediger, CEO of the Kootenay Adaptive Sports Association
Quinn Brett, Program Analyst at the National Park Service
Domonic Corradin, Founder of eXtreme Abilities
Stephanie Meyer, Program Manager at the National Ability Center
Scott Pruett, Executive Director of The Universal Design Project

Join Us

More info coming soon.

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