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Acadia National Park
Come for a Ride
With MDI Wheelers!
MDI Wheelers provides free rides on Acadia National Park’s carriage roads for people who need special assistance or are unable to ride a bike by themselves.
Come for a Ride
MDI Wheelers provides joyful experiences on the carriage roads in Acadia National Park for people unable to ride a bike by themselves. Their mission is to serve the community by increasing the accessibility in the park.
They offer safe and comfortable rides on special electric-assist trikes for people who would like a ride on the carriage roads but need assistance. All rides are free.
Rides start at Eagle Lake and are group rides with at least three volunteers. Volunteers serve as Pilots and Safeties. Pilots pedal the E-trike and Safeties ride in front and behind the group.
Riders need to have a friend or family member who can bring them to the starting point on Eagle Lake and assist them in getting on the E-trike. Family members or friends are welcome to ride along on their own bikes. Bikes can be rented at local bike shops. The MDI Wheelers team will be at Eagle Lake to meet you.
Check out the video for more details and to see what a ride with MDI Wheelers is like!
Reserve your spot!
Make sure to reserve your space at least a week in advance via email or phone.
Contact Blair Wing, Adaptive Rides Coordinator
info@mdiwheelers.org
207-370-1982
The E-trikes
The E-trikes have three wheels for stability (one in the back, two in the front) and feature a wheelchair-like seat in the front for a rider. The “pilot” pedals from the back seat and has an overview of the road and the rider.
The bikes are class 1 trikes, which is the model with the least powerful electric motor and the only kind allowed on Acadia’s carriage roads. The park has also granted MDI Wheelers with a special-use permit for their rides. And Friends of Acadia recently donated funds to purchase a trailer to haul the trikes.
The MDI Wheelers program uses electric-assist tricycles that enable a safe and comfortable ride on the carriage roads for community members that desire to see the park in this way but may not be physical able.
Pictured from left to right are Dean Read as pilot with George Woolley; Elly Andrews pilot with Emily Russell and safeties Josie Briggs and Dave Edson. (Julia Walker Thomas/Friends of Acadia)
Fletcher Cleaves (in yellow sweatshirt), known as “The Wheelchair Nomad,” is guided through the Acadia National Park carriage road near Eagle Lake during a ride with MDI Wheelers. (Julia Walker Thomas/Friends of Acadia)
Ride On With MDI Wheelers
MDI Wheelers Helps People Unable to Ride a Bike Get Out on Acadia’s Carriage Roads
Read moreReserve your Spot!
Make sure to reserve your space at least a week in advance via email or phone.
Contact Blair Wing, Adaptive Rides Coordinator
info@mdiwheelers.org
207-370-1982