Discoveries
February 22, 2024Hot Wheels
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In Paris, London and Madrid, tourists use Segways or scooters to see the cities. In Medellín, Colombia, some use wheelchairs to get a whole new view of the cityscape – and of mobility, the World reported.
“It puts you in the shoes of someone with a disability,” Andres Pulido, a tourist seeing the city, told the World.
Founded by local entrepreneur Martin Londoño, his company MATT is offering innovative electric wheelchairs equipped with “handbikes” that can reach speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.
These tours, guided by individuals with disabilities, not only showcase the city’s attractions but also provide participants with a firsthand experience of accessibility challenges faced by those with mobility impairments.
Inspired by his own experiences after losing the ability to walk at the age of 18, Londoño embarked on a mission to improve mobility options for people with disabilities.
His company has so far built around 80 handbikes, all powered by lithium batteries.
He hopes the electric vehicle will offer a “second opportunity” in life to many disabled individuals in Colombia.
Many disabled individuals in the South American country are unemployed, have very low incomes and are unable to afford Londoño’s handbikes – which cost around $2,500.
The entrepreneur is now negotiating with insurance companies to buy the vehicles for those who can’t walk.
“We have to try every avenue there is to finance these handbikes for people,” said Londoño.
Recently, the city’s government purchased seven handbikes from his company and is lending them to disabled people as part of a test run.
So far, officials welcomed their performance and are now planning to place at least one handbike vehicle at each of the city’s public bicycle stations.
“We have lots of hills here, and someone (in) a regular wheelchair just can’t get around on their own,” Jonathan Hernandez, the deputy director for transport of Medellín’s Metropolitan Area, told the broadcaster.
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