The Educational Center for the Visually Impaired (ECVI) partnered with the YMCA of Springfield, IL to create the Tandem Bicycle Project. The program provides an opportunity for low vision or blind users to borrow tandem bicycles at no cost. Participants can now ride Springfield’s bicycle trails with friends and family.
ECVI contacted IATP and requested a 3D-printed tactile map of the bicycle trails. This would provide low vision and blind users with trail information, including the location of intersecting roads and pitstops. The Ride Illinois program granted permission to the IATP Maker program to adapt their bicycle map. Pictured is one of the early prototypes. The final design is larger with a key for symbols and a resin coating to withstand weathering.
You can learn more about the project on the ECVI website Tandem Bike Project.