Thanks for sharing this
@DDuB420! I think I saw the same video a while back and thought it was really amazing! Appears to be a European company? If I was in a wheelchair this would be so exciting because it's way easier than transferring from a chair to a second electric bike vehicle like a trike or something. I'm no expert but I bet wheelchairs are designed to be super sturdy and being able to just attach it to an electric bike makes so much sense...
I used to date a young lady who spent half of her time in a wheelchair due to nerve damage. We would go for walks and she would use her chair but we never went cycling. I could imagine being closer to her vertical level if I was on my bike and if she had this electric drive attachment we could ride together! Very cool... I was suprised to find the product on Amazon so if you're in the states this might be the best place to get it:
Firefly Electric Attachable Handcycle for Wheelchair.
I noticed that front wheel appears to be 20" but the specs say 12"? It uses two sets of v-brakes (rim brakes) one in front and one in back of the fork to stop the chair... never seen that before. I wonder how well it does stop? I guess since it has a top speed of ~10 mph vs. standard ebikes that can reach ~20 that's less of a concern. It also appears to go backwards which is one of the big features that
kits like this promote (and that less mobile people appreciate for parking the system etc.). Other stats I found interesting on the Firefly:
- Top speed: 10 miles/hour (16.1 km/hour)
- Range: 15 miles (24.1 kilometers)
- Quick-release ball and socket "quickdock"
- Fits most adult and pediatric manual wheelchairs
- Adjustable handle bar height
- 220 watt geared hub motor in front wheel
- 24 volt 10 amp hour Lithium polymer battery
- Offers reverse as well as forward
- Dual Promax brakes, LED headlight, twist throttle
- LCD display with speed and distance
- Includes a bell and safety flag, optional basket on front
- Weight: 33 pounds (15 kilograms)
- Tire size: 12"(47-203)
The most interesting thing to me about the FireFly electric wheelchair puller is that it is offered in a "European" version that actually goes faster than the US version! It offers 16mph (25kph) which is the exact opposite of most electric bikes. Usually Europe is the slow poke...
