B.C. inventor designs battery-powered trike for the disabled
The Varna Trike is Georgi Georgiev's latest creation
Georgi Georgiev, designer of the Varna Diablo, the human-powered vehicle that Canadian Sam Whittingham rode to a world record 132.5 km/h, has developed a battery-assisted tricycle that people with disabilities can ride.
Georgiev, who lives on Gabriola Island, B.C., was inspired by several incidents in his life. First of all, he knew Canadian 1970’s professional cyclist Jocelyn Lowell who was hit by a truck and rendered a quadriplegic. Next, he met Rick Hansen in the late 80’s and started to make bicycles for people with disabilities. In 2000 Georgiev suffered a stroke. His cycles for people with and without disabilities are known in Europe but not as much in Canada.
The Varna Trike’s three wheels provide stability and its three-hour BionX battery propels it up to 30 km/h.
