Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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how Would you secure a white cane to a bicycle? (self.Blind)
submitted by KrolPolski
I'm an RP patient, not yet legally blind. I'm considering giving up driving for now, and swapping to a mixed mode bicycle/public transit commute. The public transit in my area isn't good enough to rely on it alone, but if I can use a bicycle to extend the range of transit it would work much better.
I'll be doing mobility training in the near future and I am wondering what the best way to secure a white cane to a bicycle would be. From what I've read the straight canes are much better to use than folding ones. Is a folding cane the only way that this works?
I understand the structural differences between a 50/50 and other types of folding canes; does a 50/50 work better than other folding canes since it has fewer joints?
I'll be doing mobility training in the near future and I am wondering what the best way to secure a white cane to a bicycle would be. From what I've read the straight canes are much better to use than folding ones. Is a folding cane the only way that this works?
I understand the structural differences between a 50/50 and other types of folding canes; does a 50/50 work better than other folding canes since it has fewer joints?
pokersnek 3 points 5y ago
The more joints a cane has, the less vibration it will transmit to your hands. However, if you are accustomed to the vibrational feedback, it won’t make too much of a difference.
Rigid canes are best for training to build your ability to interpret what the cane is telling you.
If you want a cane and a bike, the easiest way would be to get a folding cane and a holster. Or you could use a backpack or something of the sort. I would not recommend a rigid cane on a bike. There are such things as cane clips, however, I would be afraid of the cane interfering with the bike in some way.
Rigid canes are best for training to build your ability to interpret what the cane is telling you.
If you want a cane and a bike, the easiest way would be to get a folding cane and a holster. Or you could use a backpack or something of the sort. I would not recommend a rigid cane on a bike. There are such things as cane clips, however, I would be afraid of the cane interfering with the bike in some way.
BARDLover 3 points 5y ago
I'll be honest, I came here to ask why a one piece cane would be better, seeing as how I've never used one, and I appreciate your response.
BARDLover 1 points 5y ago
One thing I haven't seen suggested yet, is a flag stand.
I do a fair bit of boating, and you can easily get something to mount a flag on the back of a rail.
I see no reason you couldn't install a bushing on one of these, fit it to the top or side of your rear carrier, and have your cane upright like a flag post would be on a bike.
You could mount it to the side, and have it go vertical near the back tire even, if you didn't want to be too tall, although you'd need to make sure it was mounted in closely so as not to get hit by curbs and alike.
I do a fair bit of boating, and you can easily get something to mount a flag on the back of a rail.
I see no reason you couldn't install a bushing on one of these, fit it to the top or side of your rear carrier, and have your cane upright like a flag post would be on a bike.
You could mount it to the side, and have it go vertical near the back tire even, if you didn't want to be too tall, although you'd need to make sure it was mounted in closely so as not to get hit by curbs and alike.
bradley22 1 points 5y ago
Why do you want to secure a white cane to a bicycle?
KrolPolski [OP] 1 points 5y ago
My mid-periphery is bad enough I question whether I should be driving, even during the day. Where I live walking + transit isn't a reasonable alternative (though I am looking at moving to a better location for that). My central vision is still 20/20, and there are decent paved bike paths in the area that go to a major transit hub.
As I am an RP patient my vision is much worse at night, and I may need the cane as a result after dark while walking around after I've gotten wherever i need to go and parked my bike.
As I am an RP patient my vision is much worse at night, and I may need the cane as a result after dark while walking around after I've gotten wherever i need to go and parked my bike.
bradley22 1 points 5y ago
Ah. I completely understand now. Sorry I don't have a way of helping, I was just wondering why you wanted to do it.
Warthil 1 points 5y ago
I have no idea if it would work but something like a fishing rod holder for a bicycle http://www.bikefisherman.com
wat3rlilly 1 points 5y ago
I’m an orientation and mobility specialist. I’m really interested in how this works out. Please post pics if you are able to find a working solution. I would love to share with my students.
For advice I’m not even sure where to start but maybe the holster so the cane is easy to reach.
For advice I’m not even sure where to start but maybe the holster so the cane is easy to reach.
theaggravatedjew 1 points 5y ago
Check out electric bicycles as well. While expensive, compared to a regular bike, they have extended range, and may make a better car replacement.
As for securing the cane, I'd buy some zip ties and play with configurations first. I am thinking pic pipe lower on the frame and kind of following the bikes geometry.
From what I understand information is lost at each break or fold of a cane. I would thing theoretically a 50/50 cane would offer more information. But, the difference may be negligible between that and a cane with more joints.
As for securing the cane, I'd buy some zip ties and play with configurations first. I am thinking pic pipe lower on the frame and kind of following the bikes geometry.
From what I understand information is lost at each break or fold of a cane. I would thing theoretically a 50/50 cane would offer more information. But, the difference may be negligible between that and a cane with more joints.
Dofolo 3 points 5y ago
As a sighted person that does a lot of driving I really really really advice against this.
Electric bikes go well over the normal bike speed, it is very annoying for other traffic participants because we expect you to go between 15-20 km/h, not 30+ and then there's the sight impairment ... for your own health and safety.
As for the question, folding cane + cane holster or simply a backpack where you can stick it in. If you insist on a rigid cane, a sling and put it over your back should do fine on a bike. I would not try to find a way to fixate it to the bike, there's no point really.
Electric bikes go well over the normal bike speed, it is very annoying for other traffic participants because we expect you to go between 15-20 km/h, not 30+ and then there's the sight impairment ... for your own health and safety.
As for the question, folding cane + cane holster or simply a backpack where you can stick it in. If you insist on a rigid cane, a sling and put it over your back should do fine on a bike. I would not try to find a way to fixate it to the bike, there's no point really.
BARDLover 2 points 5y ago
Almost all electric bikes I've seen are able to be limited, plus in the states they're legally limited to 20MPH, ~32KPH, this is low enough to have serious commuters consider them a slower, yet easier, option then just riding normal.
theaggravatedjew 0 points 5y ago
OP stated he isn't yet legally blind, with RP you typically have 20/20 central vision. I think an ebike would work fine in this particular scenario. I agree that the pacing of an ebike can be unpredictable/ and annoying though.
Another alternate thought on the cane could be to take a folding cane, and possibly leave a straight cane at work/home.
Another alternate thought on the cane could be to take a folding cane, and possibly leave a straight cane at work/home.
KrolPolski [OP] 3 points 5y ago
I do still have 20/20 corrected central vision. I would primarily be riding on dedicated bike trails away from traffic.
BARDLover 2 points 5y ago
I sell electric bikes, and compared to a car, with insurance, they're cheep. $1,000 plus sales tax and you're set.
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