Para Cycling

Para cycling is a dynamic and inclusive sport, offering opportunities for athletes of all abilities to compete across multiple disciplines — from tandem bikes and handcycles to tricycles and adapted standard bicycles.

The sport’s origins trace back to visually impaired athletes competing on tandems. It made its Paralympic debut in 1984 in New York, with road events for athletes with cerebral palsy. Para cycling grew again in 1996, when track cycling was added at the Atlanta Paralympic Games, cementing its place as a cornerstone of adaptive sport.

Since then, para cyclists have continued to push boundaries on the world stage. The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games showcased tandem racing for visually impaired athletes, while the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games brought para cycling into the spotlight once again, with riders demonstrating incredible skill, resilience, and determination.

Today, para cycling continues to grow — both globally and here in New Zealand — inspiring the next generation of athletes and showing what’s possible when talent and opportunity meet.