Para-cycling enables athletes with a range of disabilities to compete in cycling — handcycles for lower limb impairments, tandem bikes for vision-impaired athletes paired with sighted pilots, and adapted bicycles for amputee and coordination impairment athletes. Cycling New Zealand and Paralympics NZ govern para-cycling. New Zealand has para-cyclists competing nationally and internationally. This guide covers the key funding sources.
Cycling NZ governs para-cycling:
- Handcycle (H class): Lower limb and trunk impairment
- Tandem (B class): Vision-impaired with sighted pilot
- Tricycle (T class): Coordination impairment
- Conventional bike (C class): Amputee athletes
- Road, track, and mountain bike disciplines
- National championship events
- Paralympic pathway
Contact Cycling NZ for Sport NZ investment access.
Paralympics NZ funds para-cycling as a Paralympic sport:
- National programme investment
- High performance pathway
- Paralympic selection
Sport NZ funds para-cycling through Cycling NZ and Paralympics NZ:
- Para-sport development investment
- Community participation
RSTs fund community para-cycling clubs.
RSTs fund para-cycling clubs:
- Equipment grants for handcycles and adaptive bikes
- Junior development
- Women's participation
Key RSTs:
- Aktive Auckland: Auckland para-cycling community
- Sport Wellington: Wellington adaptive cycling
- Sport Canterbury: Christchurch disability cycling
CCS Disability Action and related disability organisations:
- Equipment grants for disability sport
- Inclusive sport development
- Community access for people with physical disability
Gaming trusts fund para-cycling:
- Four Winds Foundation: Disability sport and community organisations
- Grassroots Trust: Community sport and recreation
- Pub Charity: Equipment and community grants
- Lion Foundation: Community sport
Gaming trust applications for para-cycling:
- Handcycles — $3,000–$12,000+ each
- Tandem bikes — $3,000–$8,000
- Tricycles and adaptive bikes
- Adaptive cycling accessories
Key equipment by classification:
H class (handcycle):
- Racing handcycle: $3,000–$12,000+
- Recreational handcycle: $1,500–$5,000
B class (tandem):
- Tandem bicycle: $3,000–$8,000
T class (tricycle):
- Tricycle: $2,000–$8,000
Handcycles are the most significant capital investment — a loan fleet enables access for new para-cyclists.
Whaikaha – Ministry of Disabled People:
- Disability sport participation support
- Adaptive cycling equipment potentially fundable through disability plans
ACC (Accident Compensation Corporation):
- Rehabilitation through cycling for accident survivors
- Handcycle access for those injured in accidents
Junior development:
- Youth para-cycling: Junior classification events
- Schools cycling: Adaptive cycling in physical education
- Junior pathway: Development toward national and Paralympic competition
Women's participation:
- Sport NZ women in sport: Female participation investment
- Women's para-cycling: Growing community
Lottery Sport: Community para-cycling clubs with active competition programmes.
Strong applications demonstrate:
- Participant numbers: Para-cyclists by classification, age, and gender
- Equipment: Handcycles, tandem bikes, adaptive bikes — specific list
- Paralympic pathway: Connection to national competition and team
- Disability inclusion: Accessible programme for diverse disability types
- Junior development: Youth para-cycling pathway
- Organisation governance: Affiliation to Cycling NZ and Paralympics NZ
Tahua's grants management platform helps para-cycling clubs manage grant applications across Cycling NZ, Paralympics NZ, Sport NZ, RSTs, disability funders, and gaming trusts, tracking adaptive bike fleet, participation, and Paralympic pathway outcomes.