Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program

I can’t walk very far anymore. Spiritual values and the support of friends enable me to accept this disability as my fate, but two aspects are still problematic. First, doctors say I have to exercise my body to stay flexible; walking had been my only exercise for 40 years. Second (more importantly), walks outdoors in nature had refreshed and renewed me.
Finally someone in the N. Calif. Ataxia Support Group mentioned BORP and its recumbent tricycles at Aquatic Park in Berkeley. They have over 60 special trikes for disabled folks to use. The fee is incredibly low, and the first ride is free! I found my way to BORP, filled out a few simple forms, and was out on a test drive (accompanied by a volunteer on her own bike) 20 minutes later! Abdulla and the many volunteers there totally welcomed me, helped me pick a bike suited to my needs, and showed me how to work the brakes and gears.
I’ll never forget that first day, returning to the shop after rolling through Aquatic Park. I couldn’t believe how easy it had been! When i got back to my car I cried and cried. Not tears of sadness but tears of relief to travel in nature again. I think of all the people who could never afford to ride recumbent trikes. BORP has restored the outdoors for me, and given me a way to maintain my health through exercise. Check this place out!

BORP adaptive cycling center provides adaptive handcycles, trikes, and tandems to be used by people with disabilities. It’s an incredible place, staffed by knowledgeable people, run by the amazing Greg Milano– who can «fit» a bike depending on a person’s ability/​disability/​body. The volunteers are usually PT/​OT students, and everyone is helpful. It is a one-​of-​a-​kind center in that for $ 100 for the year (this is waived if you are a child or low income) you can come anytime they are open, and «check out» and adaptive handcycle or trike or tandem, and ride on your own on the Bay trail. Provides community, confidence, access, exercise, and fun recreation for folks recovering from TBI, spinal cord injury, quad/​paraplegia, and blind cyclists (they have a tandem seeing person/​blind person riding program). Go check them out. they are incredible.

I work for a youth non-​profit that refers kids to BORP for adaptive cycling classes. The families we have sent there have had RAVE reviews about their experience. BORP is extremely welcoming, inclusive, and community-​minded. We love BORP!!!

I ROAD A BIKE. Seriously. This was awesome. I can’t wait to go back.
Even in my more able-​bodied days I wasn’t a cyclist, and when I tried, I was pretty lousy at it. This was fun as hell. And I can bring my spouse and we can ride together… this is something I *never* imagined doing, and it was just a blast.
They have hand cycles, foot cycles (recumbent), tandem cycles, and their whole goal is to figure out a way for anyone who wants to try biking… to try biking.
It’s affordable, too.
So far I’ve only biked a couple times, but I’m going to check out a yoga class at some point, too.
BORP makes me happy. :)

BORP is a good place to take yoga class. Gentle and restorative. I recommend the Friday evening 6 pm — 7 pm with Julia Richardson. She provides yoga instruction for all levels of ability. Julia is a good teacher — the space is relaxing and calm, and you have a perfect opportunity to wind down after a long week.

Everyone should know about BORP, they are awesome!

I’ve been affiliated with BORP since Tom K started playing wheelchair basketball there about three years ago. Pretty soon, one by one, his able bodied friends (myself included) began coming for the weekly Thursday night hoops.
Not only was it a lot of fun, and a pretty good work out, it also helped let out some aggression; nothing liking banging against metal at high speeds.
But these were just byproducts of our collective experience. More than anything BORP provides amazing programs for disabled people in the Bay Area to connect with others in similar circumstances, and be active together. Furthermore, they encourage able bodied people to participate as well, which is a great way to help reduce some of the stigma surrounding disabled folks.
It’s a great organization worthy of your support.

As their website says BORP is a non-​profit organization working to improve the health, independence and social integration of people with physical disabilities through sports, fitness and recreation programs.
BORP is a really great group of people that have undoubtedly improved the lives of many disabled people, and mostly children. Rick, Jon and the rest of the people who work at BORP are just all around good guys who have dedicated their lives to improving the lives of others. I played wheelchair basketball with BORP for three years and have alot of great memories including road trips to tournaments, playing in poker fundraisers for the rugby team and scrimmaging at the adult school in Berkeley every week.
In 2004, the BORP Bay Cruisers were the National High School Wheelchair Basketball Champions and many of the players earned scholarships to play in college. This is just one example of the impact BORP has made on people’s lives. They run many other great programs and I would recommend to anyone to get involved with BORP.