Benur is a tricycle that allows people with reduced mobility to move around easily. It will soon be available for hire in Lyon.
You may have already come across them on the cycle paths of Chambéry and Clermont-Ferrand and will soon see them on that of the Lyon metropolitan area: the Benur scooter is a handybike (contraction of “handicap” and “bicycle” in English) which allows people with reduced mobility to move around completely independently.
This electrically assisted machine was designed by Joseph Mignozzy. In 2012, following a road accident, he found himself in a wheelchair for more than two years. ” Overnight, he explains to the Huffington Post, I could no longer use my own bike and even less the self-service bikes downstairs from my house “. He then decides to develop his scooter. After several models, the Benur which now circulates on cycle paths was born.
Accessible via a ramp, he moves thanks to maindalage (pedaling with his hands). Already available for hire in Chambéry, it will also soon be available in Lyon: the metropolis has decided to acquire around ten copies. Cost of each tricyle: 6,000 to 8,000 euros. But to allow everyone to benefit from it, the cities therefore choose the rental solution.
Benur is particularly interesting for two reasons: higher than conventional handybikes, it allows the user to feel more secure. And then the fact that it can also be used by so-called able-bodied people.
Benur’s video, shown on the Huffington Post website.