Known in our country since 1973, Paracycling  today aims more particularly at people suffering from a physical handicap (amputation, arthrodesis, muscular deficiency), a visual one (blind or poorly seeing), being paraplegic or tetraplegic,  and I.M.C.

The cyclists having to face these four categories of handicaps use solo bikes (bicycle or tricycle) with or without adjustments; tandems the handling of which is made by a sound teammate and Handbikes (tricycles with manual propulsion).

In France, we can consider there are as many as 400 licensees practising it as a leisure activity or in competition, representing 70 Federal clubs or in open sections within clubs for cyclists.

The rules of paracycling are those of  UCI with a few specific aspects inherent to the nature of the handicaps and its inner organization. A protocol binds it to the French Cycling Federation (F.F.C.)  and enables some paracyclists , after a medical advice, to compete  in some of its competitions. This also enables them to take advantage of the structures, staff, commissioners and tandem pilots of the federation. The F.S.G.T. and U.F.O.L.E.P. Federations also provide many teammates to make up tandems either in leisure activities or in competitions.

- For physical handicaps (solos), it is the very nature of the handicap that determines the category in which the cyclist will compete. They number four, whether nationally or internationally. The different adjustments brought to the bike deal more particularly  with the brakes set on an only handle for those suffering from a handicap of the upper limbs and at the level of the pedal system for those suffering from a deficiency of flexing the knee properly. A great many of these physically handicapped persons also practise cycling with valid cyclists.

- For the visual handicap, the tandem requires the cooperation of a valid teammate and of any person whose eyesight does not make the practise of this activity possible among valid cyclists. Nationally, there exist seven categories : young, between 14 and 20 years old, Senior One Two and Three at over 20 years old and depending on the level. Veteran, 45 years old at least for the blind and 40 for the pilot. Feminine with two female athletes. Internationally, only Male and Female categories are acknowledged by the International Paralympic Committee. Since the F.F.C. (French Cycling Federation) stopped the Tandem possibility, any competition with valid cyclists is nearly impossible, thus only leisure activities are still a  possibility.

- For motion handicaps, handcycling (a tricycle with manual propulsion) is on the rise and fully frees the handicapped person from the constraints imposed by the wheelchair. He or she can accede to most of the road competitions and no difficulty is today insuperable by these machines. If for leisure it is a great tool of freedom, in the context of competition no limit seems to be set and the performances are worthy of those of traditional cycling.

 

The practise for “IMC” handicap started with the Paralympic Games in 2004. It exists either on two or three wheels and within four categories of handicap set according to its very impact on cycling itself.

Paracycling has a national calendar which is set up each year and which practically involves every week-end from March to October, except for two summer months, when the cyclists willingly integrate competitions with valid cyclists. French road competitions are organized with line competitions and time trial ones. Track competitions also exist, with speed, pursuit, and kilometre from scratch.

All the competitions of the categories set on the calendar give marks for the National Challenge (a sort of  French championship  with marks) as well as for a French Cup for clubs.

Internationally, a world championship takes place each year, except when there are Paralympic Games. Since January 1 2007, Paracycling has integrated the International Cycling Union (UCI).