iCan Bike - West Bloomfield, MI

We understand that the vast majority of people with disabilities never have the experience of independently riding a conventional two-wheel bicycle during their lifetime. Research shows that over 80% of people with Autism and 90% of people with Down syndrome never experience this thrill. Defying these odds is why we exist!

Program Details

iCan Bike Camp:

City/State:

West Bloomfield, MI

Hosted By:

When:

June 18th – 22nd, 2018

Registration Contact:

For information or questions about this bike camp please e-mail Taylor directly at taylor@friendshipcircle.org or call 248-788-7878 extension 213 or visit our website.

Where (Click link to view map):

West Bloomfield High School 4925 Orchard Lake Rd West Bloomfield, MI 48323

Trey’s Dad
Trey's Ride "Me: Here we go again - Signing up for the impossible. I knew the requirements for biking included steering, balance, perpetual motion, starting, stopping, a sense of danger, and on and on. In my mind, I clearly envisioned a broken leg, broken arm, or at least a deep wound and the corresponding emergency room visit followed by who knows what. So this makes sense, here what had been said just before that line of thinking... My wife: "I just signed Trey up for iCan Bike." Well, if you don't want to read the rest my story, you can stop here - I was wrong! Trey is 18 and has autism. He is non-verbal. We had tried other biking classes before without success. On day one of the iCan Bike experience, I arrive at GMU only to find a very organized, determined organization staffed with unbelievable volunteers. Trey pedals around the inside track, not so willingly, on this contraption that resembles a stationary bike with a roller on the back and three buddies (Volunteers) with him providing whatever is needed and an extraordinary level of encouragement. About ½ way through the first session, one of the volunteers says to me, "he's got it." I thinking - yeah right. On day two, more training on the bike I refer to as a contraption with a slight difference. The roller is now tapered on the ends and Trey is learning the feeling and requirements for balance. In the session, a volunteer puts Trey on a tandem bike where the volunteer is in the rear and can impose control as needed. This was certainly the first sensation for Trey of what biking is like. Also on this day, I hear about the 8-mile family challenge as part of Bike to the Beach at the end of July and think, well that's not going to happen! Unbelievable, on day three, Trey is on a normal full two wheeled bike with only a handle attached at the rear of the seat. Volunteers are running with Trey helping him to start, give steering correction, and giving assistance to avoid a crash. I am convinced the volunteers are absolutely worn out keeping up with Trey and others by the end of this session. On day four, more of the same but the impossible happened - Trey is riding the normal two wheeled bike around the inside track at GMU with no assistance. On the final day, even more incredible - Trey independently rides around the ¼ mile outdoor track numerous times. What follows the training? Several practice sessions and a successful 8.3-mile Bike to the Beach ride. Some final messages: To the volunteers - thank you. To iCan Bike - What an incredible incremental way to teach what was previously impossible. To my wife - I was wrong!"