Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa donates adaptive bicycles to kids with special needs

This story first appeared in the 2025 Cycling Guide, an annual special section aimed at telling the stories of the businesses, people and local efforts that have made The Corridor a cycling destination.

Thirteen-year-old Hunter Dryer was very excited when he found out he was going to get a new bicycle at a special event sponsored by Variety - the Children’s Charity of Iowa. Because he is nonverbal and has Down syndrome, Hunter expressed his happiness in a unique way.

“He was so excited,” said Hunter’s mom, Stephanie Dryer. “When we pulled up and he saw the bicycles up there, he was almost hyperventilating in the truck.”

Hunter’s bicycle, along with an array of other bicycles, were given away last summer to children across Iowa at bike giveaway events.

“We had an event at Noelridge Park last summer,” said Wendy Ingham, executive director of Variety - the Children’s Charity of Iowa. “At that event, five kids received bikes. It was so impactful. A grandparent said, ‘This a game changer for my grandchild.’”

Families celebrate together as they receive the bicycle gifts for their children.

The particular bicycles that made Hunter so excited are designed for children with special needs. These are not your ordinary run-of-the-mill bikes. They’re adaptive bicycles, made to provide kids with special needs with support and safety as they enjoy the exciting experience that pedaling a bike can provide.

Providing children with opportunities to be mobile and active in their communities is a goal of Variety. To achieve that goal, Variety of Iowa has purchased and donated over 100 pieces of adaptive mobility equipment to Iowa special needs children: sturdy strollers for older children, gait trainers that help children with mobility issues strengthen their legs, and, of course, bicycles.

Variety has also donated over 800 traditional bicycles to children whose families can’t afford a bicycle.

“It’s so great to see the smiles on these kids’ faces,” said Alison Hanner, director of marketing and public relations at Variety - a Children’s Charity of Iowa. “Now that child can ride a bike like every other kid. It’s so amazing to witness.”

To identify children whose families might not be able to afford a bike for their children, Variety works with schools in low to moderate-income areas, where many children qualify for free lunch.

When it comes to working with special needs kids, Variety is likewise proactive in identifying children who would benefit from a bicycle. The organization reaches out to physical therapists who work with special needs kids.

“We work with PTs across the state,” Hanner said. “They help identify children. We take the PT’s recommendations on what would be best for each child.”

Getting special needs kids on a bike outside of their physical therapy sessions can help a child gain strength and coordination more quickly, especially since riding a bike is such a fun way to exercise.

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Variety works with adaptive equipment companies to customize a bicycle for each child. For example, Hunter’s bright blue bike has three wheels for stability (officially making it a tricycle) and a backrest to provide extra support. It also has a push handle so his parents can help him steer, brake and navigate around obstacles.

Other modifications are also available: a seat belt-type harness, padding that helps guide unstable legs as they pedal, hand anchors to make holding on to the handlebars easier and a basket.

All of these custom modifications on adaptive bicycles can be expensive. A bike like Hunter’s can cost anywhere between $2,000 and $10,000. Adaptive equipment like this is also typically not covered by health insurance. This is where Variety comes in.

“We work with big donors across the state,” Hanner said. “We try to connect donors with the children with needs.” Donors are often invited to bike giveaways.

“The donors see the gratitude, and everyone is moved to tears,” Hanner said.

Variety also holds several fundraising events throughout the year so that others can get in on the excitement of donating to this important cause: their website lists events like a telethon, golf tournaments, a wine- and beer-tasting party and even a polo match.

Volunteers are also invited to help assemble bicycles and other equipment once it arrives.

“Many organizations have VTO (volunteer time off), and this is one of those activities you don’t get to do very often,” Ingham said. Volunteers watch a video provided by the adaptive equipment company and then work together to assemble the bicycles.

“Our bike team then checks them to make sure they’re safe,” Ingham said.

Hunter has found his bike to be not only safe, but fun.

“Hunter did the entire (Iowa) State Fair in three days on his bike,” said Chad Burmahl, Hunter’s dad. “He didn’t always pedal. But even with us pushing the bike, his legs would still get exercise.”

“When he was at the state fair he was waving and everything,” added Hunter’s mom, Stephanie. “It was like his own parade.”