We at SafePath Products have always supported organizations involved with people with disabilities and various causes that increase awareness for improving our environment for greater outdoor accessibility for all. One organization that is helping to lead the way is Ian’s Ride. The founder, Ian Mackay, is an active outdoorsman and quadriplegic who sets off on journeys throughout the country every year, often traveling hundreds of miles to help spread awareness for better accessibility in the outdoors.
Paralyzed from the neck down resulting from a bicycle accident in 2008, Ian continues to inspire others and bring awareness to the need for greater accessibility in our parks and public lands. SafePath Products was honored to sponsor Ian’s Ride this October where he traveled 272 miles down the famous Redwood Coast from the Oregon border to Fort Bragg, California via the Pacific Coast bike route, with most of it being on the shoulder of the highway.
Along with his road support team of several cyclists and a few motored vehicles that accompanied him the entire way, Ian was able to successfully complete this scenic trip just like he has so many other times. Our own CEO, Timothy VanderHeiden, traveled to Fort Bragg to join the group of supporters where he was able to greet Ian as he crossed the finish line at Fort Bragg’s Mirror Beach.
“It was so impressive to see Ian with an electric wheelchair with only a ‘sip and puff’ for navigation on a ventilator cross the finish line with the biggest smile on his face after enduring some very nasty weather and treacherous road conditions along the way”, VanderHeiden said. “It reminds me to be mindful of our heath and mobility each and every day, and to get off our butts and get outside and enjoy nature that we so often take for granted.”
All of us at SafePath Products are so proud of Ian and his family and friends for bringing about much needed awareness for outdoor accessibility. We encourage all of our friends, colleagues and customers to follow Ian on his web site at https://www.iansride.com/ to learn more about this incredibly empowering and inspirational young man.
SafePath Products is an American manufacturer of ADA compliant threshold ramps, entry level landings, seismic surface transitions, flooring reducers and other industrial and residential products for ADA access code compliance. For over 24 years we’ve been the industry leader in providing “green” solutions to the construction industry, and all of our products are made from 100% recycled rubber here in the USA. Contact us today to find out how we can help you with your next project.