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 those with low vision or blindness to reserve and borrow tandem bicycles at no cost. Participants can now ride Springfield’s bicycle trails with friends and family. You can learn more about the project on the ECVI website Tandem Bike Project.
ECVI reached out to IATP requesting a 3D-printed tactile map of the bicycle trails to provide users with trail information including the location of intersecting roads and certain 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 was larger and provides a key for symbols, and coating with resin to withstand outdoor temperatures and durability.