Pedals, gears, and poles: India's makeshift wheelchairs

Thousands of disabled commuters navigate busy streets of New Delhi in wheelchairs that look like bikes, powering themselves with their hands and steering with a metal pole.

? A local, slice-of-life story from a Monitor correspondent.

Skip to next paragraph

?At first glance, Su Kumar could be taken for a bicyclist. Pedaling through the snarl of cars, trucks, buses, and donkey carts, he rolls right along with New Delhi?s chaotic traffic. But instead of using his feet, Mr. Kumar, who uses a wheelchair, pedals with his hands. He?s one of thousands of disabled commuters in the capital who navigate the city on wheels.

In a country that has few amenities for those with disabilities, innovation is critical. Kumar?s wheelchair looks like a three-wheeled bike with a bucket seat. He travels about 10 miles to work each day, powering himself with his hands and steering with a metal pole.

Kumar has been unable to walk since he was a child. But he considers himself fortunate. Fifteen years ago, a local charity gave him his wheelchair, which cost more than $100. He says it has made all the difference.

?I can do everything with this wheelchair,? says Kumar with a smile.

Wheelchair users not only navigate Delhi?s tricky streets, they have turned their wheelchairs into makeshift stores, barbershops, and vegetable stalls.
On a sweltering afternoon, a group of jabbering children surrounds a man juggling dripping ice-cream cones amid the honking cars. He moves with ease. It takes an experienced eye to notice that he?s in a wheelchair that is attached to his ice cream cart.

Get daily or weekly updates from?CSMonitor.com?delivered to your inbox.?Sign up today.

courtney stodden joe the plumber lra lra eric johnson eric johnson big east tournament