2 Issue 4
8
Using your chair
Wheelies
(rear wheel balance)
A wheelie is performed by
balancing on the rear wheels of
your chair, while the front castors
are raised off the ground. If done
safely, it can help you overcome
kerbs and other obstacles.
Warning:
It is dangerous to do a wheelie, as
you may fall or tip over backward
and suffer a severe injury. Make
sure that you heed these warnings:
1. Consult your doctor, nurse or
therapist to find out if you are a
good candidate to learn to do a
wheelie.
2. Do not try to do a wheelie unless
you are a highly skilled rider or
unless you have help.
3. Make sure that anti-tip tubes are
up, out of the way, so they do
not interfere.
4. When learning to do a wheelie,
make sure that this chair has
push handles. The attendant
needs secure points to hold the
rear of the chair to prevent the
user from tipping over
backwards.
Follow these steps when learning
to do a wheelie with help:
1. The attendant should be at the
rear of the chair, and must be
able to move with the chair to
prevent a tip over.
2. The attendant’s hands should be
beneath the push handles, ready
to catch you if you tip too far
backward.
3. When the attendant is in
position, place your hands on
the forward area of the
handrims.
4. Make a quick backward
movement of the rear wheels,
immediately followed by a hard
forward thrust. This will tilt the
chair backwards and lift the
castors from the ground.
Try to find the balance point,
which is the point where you will
not fall backwards or forwards.
5. Maintain your balance by small
movements of the handrims.
