Basic Information

Handcylcing is a Paralympic sport in which anyone with any kind of disability can participate in.

You can participate if you disability if one of the following:
Spinal cord injury
Ambulatory
Visually Impaired
Amputee
Traumatic Brain Injury
Cerebral Palsy
Stroke Survivors

EQUIPMENT

One of the most important parts of handcylcing, whether it is recreational or comepetitive, is making sure that you choose the bike that best fits your needs and that you are the most comfortable riding.

On a basic level, bikes are split into racing bikes and recreational bikes, but depending on your disability there are a number of different structured bikes in these groups that might serve your needs better.
 
Handcycle Selection:

Upright-Bikes.  These bikes are best for recreation, and because of this respond poorly on high speeds.  They can accomadate a low or high level of disability and are also ideal for heavy-set riders.  They are also nice because they allow for an easy transfer from wheel-chair to bike, are adjustable, and lack rigidity.  They also have a low turning radius and a high center of gravity.

Recumbent. These bikes can be used for both recreation and competition.  They can be found in both the fork steer and lean steer varieties and can accomadate both low and high level disabilities.  They usually work best for those with spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, and amputees.  These bikes are lower to the ground and thus transfers are a bit tougher than with an upright bike.  These bikes also work best if you have a good range of motion in your shoulders.  They also have a wider turning radius.

Recumbent-Trunk Power or Kneeling Recumbent.  These models can be used for either recreation or competition, but are built to be great competition bikes and get up to very high speeds.  In these models the rider is kneeling, seated on a tilted, raised platform, with his/her legs folded underneath.  These bikes are usually best suited for amputees, or incomplete spinal cord injuries.  Turning on these bikes is easier and you are faced with less wind resistance as your body is more aerodynamic.

Body Lean Steering.  These bikes can be used both recreationally and for competition.  They are usually used by people with spinal cord injuries, amputees, or those with cerebral palsy.  They are very fast and stable and allow for an easy transfer.   You need to have a good range of motion on these bikes as you are steering with your body, by leaning in the direction that you wish to go.      

Youth Models.  All of these bikes are available in sizes appropriate for kids.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
 
Choosing the right equipment is not the only consideration should be made before going out on your bike.  There are a number of additional considerations that should be taken into account to make sure your ride is the safest and most fun that it can be.

Additional considerations:

Thermoregulation.  Do you have trouble regulated your body temperature?  Is there a certain bike that will help you do this?
Grip strength.  Do you have good grip strength, can you grip?  Which bike will provide you with the best option of gripping the handle bars the way that works best for you
Road camber/crown.  What kind of terrain will you be riding on?  Which bike is best suited to handle this terrain?
Body position (spine angle, line of sight). What body position is more comfortable for you?  Which bike offers this?
Wheel camber. What sort of balance do you need?  How should you adjust your wheels to help with this?