Cycling

Individuals with vision impairment compete in Para cycling on tandem bikes, where a sighted ‘pilot’ steers at the front and a visually impaired ‘stoker’ powers from the back. At the Paralympic Games, Para cycling is split into track and road disciplines, with visually impaired athletes participating in four events: the road race and individual time trial on the road, and the time trial and individual pursuit on the track. These events mirror Olympic formats, with variations in race distances and formats but similar competitive dynamics.

Paralympics New Zealand runs a robust Para cycling development programme as part of its national talent identification efforts. New Zealand has consistently excelled on the global stage, highlighted by the silver medalist tandem duo Emma Foy and Laura Thompson at the Rio 2016 Paralympics and many other successes!

For those keen on competitive Para cycling, visit the Paralympics New Zealand, Cycling NZ website or contact us to learn more.

Keen to know a bit more? Check out the latest resource made by Cycling NZ on Tandem Cycling Guidance for Pilots and Stokers.

For recreational riders, Blind Low Vision NZ offers tandem bikes for hire across the country at affordable daily or weekly rates.