Bikers Knees Get Powered Boost
Consultant Rheumatologist Dr. Mike Irani has teamed up with a local businessman to help instil confidence in his patients and all with aid of pedal power.
(PRWEB) March 25, 2005 -- Dr. Irani is a leading physician in rheumatology
and cares for patients with damaged hip, knee and other joints, which may need
surgical replacement by his orthopaedic colleagues. As part of the
rehabilitation of his patients, Dr. Irani has to get the patients moving their
new joints and one of the best ways to do this is by low impact exercise, like
bike riding.
Dr. Irani said: "One of the problems that patients voice,
is that lack the confidence to get on a bike. For example they would be worried
that if they went for a ride and came across a hill they may be happy going down
hill but lack the confidence to get them back up the hill, as they do not yet
trust their joints. There are patients with blood circulation problems to their
legs who have similar concerns."
That's where Russell Everitt of Electric
Bikes Direct comes in. This local entrepreneur has set up a company which
produces electric bikes. The perfect solution to the confidence problem! If the
rider is not confident enough to get up the hill alone, they can simply switch
on the battery driven motor and it's like being pushed up the whole way.
Electric bikes are by no-means a new concept, but the bikes that Russell
has created are a new breed. Incredibly light, with quick charge and long life
batteries, they even fold up and fit into a handy shoulder bag to be carried
around. Popular with caravaners and commuters, the bikes caught Dr Irani's eye
as being of benefit to his patients.
The pair have recently got together
to discuss other ways to develop the bikes, specifically for rheumatology
patients but in the mean time, Russell has permanently loaned Dr. Irani a bike
to help his patients.
Russell Everitt said: "The bike I have loaned Dr.
Irani is called a Bright Bike GR-8. It is made of lightweight aluminium and
features a Nickel Metal Hydride battery that will recharge 500 to 1000 times. It
will travel 25 miles on a full charge that costs approximately 5p. Unlike some
folding bikes, the Bright Bike GR-8 has standard 20 inch wheels and looks much
more contemporary than some of the other models on the market.
There are
also tax benefits to owning one of these bikes. They are classed as standard
pedal bikes due to the way they work, which means that there are lots of tax
breaks - if they are bought as a mobility aid they are tax and VAT free. If they
are bought by an employer, they can claim the tax, national insurance and VAT
back, and the user can claim 20p per mile, tax free, from their employer for
riding it to and from work."
For information on the bikes call Russell
Everitt on 0870 345 0775 or have a look at them on the website www.electricbikesdirect.co.uk
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/3/prweb221519.htm