Some special efforts in Orange County are helping children with disabilities to get outfitted for expensive adaptive tricycles at no cost.

It’s all thanks to the Larkin Task Force and some local leaders, with help from local nonprofits, businesses and donors.

So far, two children in Washingtonville were recently gifted with the adaptive product from Rifton Adaptive Tricycles in Ulster County. The specialized product ranges in cost from roughly $2,000 to $3,000 and is not covered by insurance.

Organizers say they’re taking applications from families to outfit up to ten children with significant physical needs this spring.

“Imagine being a family and just wanting to go out on the trails in the springtime and going on a bike ride. Until this moment, that was not an option for them because adaptive bikes are very expensive. I think this is a game changer,” says Stefanie Kostenblatt, executive director of Beautiful People, a nonprofit involved in the effort.

The Larkin Task Force honors the legacy of service of late New York Sen. Bill Larkin, who died in 2019 after 40 years in the state

For more information on how to apply for a free adaptive bicycle send an email to larkintaskforce@gmail.com.