Achilles International’s Citi Bike® Adaptive Cycling Program to Expand to Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx

Achilles International is proud to partner with the Citi Bike® team in expanding our Adaptive Cycling Program in New York City. In addition to weekly adaptive cycling sessions in Central Park, we will now offer the program for people with disabilities in three new locations: Williamsbridge Oval, the Bronx; Prospect Park, Brooklyn and Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens.

“Citi Bike® intentionally partnered with Achilles International for this pilot program because of the impact work that this organization already does. We wanted to scale this work without reinventing the wheel. Supporting organizations in the work that they already do and investing in their capacity to bring social change is a priority to the Citi Bike® team,” says Keyla Navarro, Community Engagement and Equity Programs, Lyft Bikes and Scooters.

“What resonated with us the most is the direct impact Achilles has on people’s lives. Reading testimonials from people with disabilities about this program demonstrated to us that there is a need and we want to work on filling those gaps,” she added.

The goal of the program is to advance transportation accessibility by providing affordable recreational adaptive cycle rides to people with disabilities. Adaptive bicycles can be expensive, often starting at $2,000. Achilles is breaking down barriers to the benefits of cycling and providing New Yorkers with disabilities more options to stay active. 

“Recreational cycling has so many benefits and it’s important for anyone to have access to those benefits regardless of any characteristics of life that they hold. Biking is such a positive, joyful experience, and it is important as a community as well to experience that together,” says Navarro.

While there is no cost to participate in the Achilles and Citi Bike® Adaptive Cycling Program, riders must RSVP at least 48 hours in advance to ensure proper staffing support. The program starts on Saturday, May 14 and runs through the first week of November.

Learn more about volunteering to support our new riders or signing up for a handcycle workout here.