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It Looks Like a Toy for Big Kids but Isn't- The Alinker

What you are looking at could be considered a toy, but the Alinker, by inventor Barbara Alink, is meant for much more that.
The Alinker 7 photos
Photo: Alinker Inventions
The AlinkerThe AlinkerThe Alinker FoldedThe AlinkerThe AlinkerThe Alinker
It is said that necessity is the mother of all invention. I couldn’t agree more. The majority of inventions that serve us in our everyday lives have come about because of one need or another. It was with such a need that that Alinker was developed.

Developed with Barbara’s aging mother in mind, this little contraption is meant to offer a low resistance mobility solution. Sure, it may seem like a kid's toy, but this design offers the elderly, disabled, and generally anyone with a mobility handicap including amputees, the chance to once again get moving.

The principle behind it is simple. As you can see, it follows a trike design and functions on basically the same principles except the propulsion system, but we’ll get to that. The two front wheels offer a level of stability that takes the worry away from riding this thing even drunk.

The Alinker
Photo: Alinker Inventions
The rear wheel, with its fraction of the size of a front wheel, is also there for stability. Above the two front wheels there is a set of handlebars that look more like push-cart handlebars or the kind you would have on a stroller, including the soft padding. From the handlebars, the frame follows a downward curve and connects to the back wheel. Exactly as it would on a sort of circus bicycle. On that part of the frame also sits the seat.

the rider is placed on that seat and the whole contraption is complete. But hold on a minute. What about the pedals for this bike? Nobody said anything about pedals. True. Not one thing is mentioned about pedals as the Alinker has none. That’s right. No pedals. So here, just as with the Streetflyer and Fliz, you better start kickin' those legs Forrest!

Oddly enough, the Alinker is marketed toward elderly and people with mobility challenges. And if you start to inspect it a bit, you can see why.

The Alinker
Photo: Alinker Inventions
The seat takes all the weight of the rider and distributes it onto your gluteus maximus. This allows the legs to move freely similar to the movement of the Fliz, but in a more natural position, one our brains even recognize. Most people have ridden a tricycle so the design seems legit.

Last but not least of all the Alinkers tricks would be her ability to fit in some tight spaces. She folds folks! Located just in front of the seat lays a key component of the Alinker, a sort of joint that allows the thingamajig to be folded, bringing its size down to a fraction of the space it occupies when unfolded.

This allows the Alinker to easy be transported in the trunk of your car or even the front seat. If needed, the seat and wheels can also be detached to occupy even less space. Remember, this is a device made with assisted mobility in mind, something like that of a wheelchair, but with a lot more freedom.

So, whether you need an Alinker by design, or just want to look cool riding home drunk from the bar, for a chill two grand, it’s there for the taking. Don’t worry, you’ll be doing some good. One out of every 100 Alinkers sold is donated to landmine victims through amputee and veteran programs. I’ll drink to that.

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About the author: Cristian Curmei
Cristian Curmei profile photo

A bit of a nomad at heart (being born in Europe and raised in several places in the USA), Cristian is enamored with travel trailers, campers and bikes. He also tests and writes about urban means of transportation like scooters, mopeds and e-bikes (when he's not busy hosting our video stories and guides).
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