Man In Motion World Tour Overview
In 1985 at the age of 27, Rick Hansen, inspired by the dream of creating a world accessible and inclusive for all and a deep seated belief that ‘anything is possible’, set out on a journey that would make history. Wheeling through 34 countries on four continents, Rick and his team battled the elements and the odds for more than two years. He wheeled the equivalent of more than two marathons a day (40,000 km in total) before returning home to a hero’s welcome in Vancouver. His Man In Motion World Tour raised awareness of the potential of people with disabilities and an astonishing $26 million to realize his dream.
The Tour was an incredible journey of epic proportions featuring enormous challenges, incredibly long distances, and ambitious goals. The Tour inspired people around the world to believe in their own potential, hopes and dreams. It made everyone think about what we could do to make the world a better place and sparked a public dialogue that led to new policies, building codes and legislation aimed at making our communities more accessible and inclusive. It also led to the establishment of the Rick Hansen Foundation, which has so far generated more than $200 million for quality of life projects, awareness programs and cutting-edge research since the Tour ended in 1987.
Fast Facts About the Man In Motion World Tour
- Start and end dates: March 21, 1985–May 22, 1987
- Total distance: 40,598 km / 24,901.55 miles (the circumference of the Earth)
- Countries: 34 on four continents
- Average daily distance: 85 km
- Average speed: 8–10 km/hr in the city; 13–15 km/hr in the country
- Average daily hours wheeling: 8
- Wheelchair tires worn out: 160
- Biggest crowd: Tianjin China
- Highest summit: 1,700 m in the Alps
- Most homesick moment: Terry Fox Garden in Jerusalem
- Letters received: 200,007
We invite you to experience some of Rick’s journey in this section. Read about what inspired Rick, find out more about the incredible team that shared this adventure with him, or learn about the incredible outcomes from the Tour.
