Bowerbird Industries is working with Para athletes to trial a new adaptive training and testing bike. Fully adjustable and designed for elite training, the technology allows athletes and coaches to test consistently, track change over time, and refine training with confidence.
For Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Para Unit athlete Tom Walvin, the impact is immediate and practical. As a Para-hand-cyclist aiming to compete at the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games, Tom uses the training bike to measure power output, aerobic capacity, and fatigue under controlled conditions. This gives him and his coaches a clearer picture of how small adjustments affect performance, shape training blocks, reduce injury risk, and focuses effort where it matters.
Supported by the Queensland Government’s Private Sector Pathways Program, in partnership with the QAS, Bowerbird is combining smart design with real-world application, demonstrating how Queensland innovation can deliver tangible benefits for athletes training at the highest level.
‘The inclusion of the Bowerbird in my training has been super beneficial for me as a hand cyclist. Being able to test and produce data in the QAS lab, especially physiological testing like VO2 max and lactate,’ said Tom.
‘All of this data is vital for my programming and performance as a cyclist. It is fully adjustable so we can mimic the set-up of my road bike to ensure I am in the correct position for testing to make it as realistic as possible.’
By connecting Queensland innovation with elite sport, Bowerbird Industries is helping create more personalised, data-driven pathways for Para-athletes to reach their full potential. The collaboration demonstrates how locally developed technology can enhance performance, support athlete wellbeing, and strengthen Queensland's reputation as a leader in inclusive innovation and high-performance sport.
The new Science and Innovation Strategy, Ideas into impact: From discovery to delivery, will unlock investment, grow industries, activate partnerships, create jobs, and deliver a better future for Queenslanders.
By working together and backing local talent, we can turn Queensland ideas into solutions that build a brighter future for our communities, economy and the next generation of innovators and leaders.
Learn more and reading the Science and Innovation strategy.
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Last updated: 23 Sep 2026