The Great Divide: Wooden Bicycles and Wooden Wheelchairs – Erik Kondo

Wooden Bicycles

When I first started making wooden wheelchairs, I researched the internet to see what people have already made. I only found a few examples. For the most part, wooden wheelchairs are not really a thing. On the other hand, I have also been researching wooden bicycles using Pinterest and have been introduced to an incredible world of creativity and craftsmanship. I was amazed by images of the huge variety of wooden bicycles that have been created across the world.

Why is there such a great divide between wooden bicycles and wooden wheelchairs? A manual wooden wheelchair is arguably less complicated and simpler to make than a bicycle. Why are all these people making DIY and professional wooden bicycles, yet there is minimal interest in making wooden wheelchairs? In fact, there are wheelchair users who are deeply offended at the suggestion of using a wooden wheelchair, like this guy.

He doesn't like wooden wheelchairs.

Bicycles riders are not upset by people making wooden bicycles. Yet there are wheelchair users who vocally oppose the idea of DIY wooden wheelchairs despite the demonstrated need for more wheelchairs in the world.

There is no shortage of bicycles. Manufactured bicycles exist in all sorts of styles and price ranges. There is worldwide availability. There is no need to make a wooden bicycle, yet people are still making them.

On the other hand, there is a global shortage of functional wheelchairs. In many countries there are not enough wheelchairs available for the people who need them. In other places, the wheelchairs that are available are inappropriate for the person and the environment. In wealthy countries, wheelchairs are typically obtained at great expense through a time consuming and unwieldy medical/insurance/vendor system.

A wheelchair is literally a life changing mobility device for someone who needs one. Why are all these people making bicycles and not making wheelchairs?

It is understandable that there would be more people making bicycles than wheelchairs in terms of population size. Demographically, there are more people want bicycles than people who need wheelchairs. But I am referring to the demonstrated interest and ability of people in society to produce DIY wooden bicycles of high quality and style, yet the wooden wheelchair is not on people’s radar as something to make.

I don’t know the answer to why this great divide exists. But I do have suspicions. Generally speaking, bicycles are widely loved. Wheelchairs are not. I would even go so far as to say that wheelchairs are disliked, disrespected, and even hated by some. Despite the fact that there is no other mobility device that has the ability to provide as much functional mobility to a non-walking person as a wheelchair, they are seen as the representation of disability. Hence, they are negatively stigmatized.

As a longtime wheelchair user, I am grateful to have use of my multiple wheelchairs. Some I have made myself. My message to the world is that if people can make DIY bicycles, then they can also make DIY wheelchairs. Even if a small percentage of the effort and creativity that is currently going into making bicycles goes into making wheelchairs, many people’s lives will be changed for the better.

Some of my wooden wheelchairs.