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Ian Mackay Traversed New York Erie Canal Trail

Ian Mackay completed a 360-mile trek across New York to champion accessible outdoor infrastructure.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Special Needs

Bold vector editorial illustration of a power wheelchair on a gravel trail by a canal, representing accessible outdoor recreation.
Ian Mackay completed a 360-mile journey across the Erie Canalway Trail in New York, calling for more accessible outdoor public infrastructure. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Paralyzed in 2008, Ian Mackay navigated the 360-mile Erie Canalway Trail from Albany to Buffalo in a power wheelchair. The ride serves to highlight the necessity of accessible outdoor recreation infrastructure.

Why it matters

Mackay's journey underscores the vital need for inclusive public spaces, advocating for improvements that allow individuals with mobility impairments to enjoy state parks and trail systems.

Mackay operates his power wheelchair using specialized air sensors, maintaining a consistent speed of 8 mph. The 360-mile trek spans the entirety of the Erie Canalway Trail from Albany to Buffalo.

The players

Ian Mackay

He is an accessibility advocate and the founder of Ian's Ride who navigates the country in a power wheelchair.

Ben Walsh

He represents the New York State Canal Corporation and participated in portions of the trek.

The details

Ian Mackay, who founded the organization Ian's Ride, is paralyzed from the neck down and utilizes a sip-and-puff style air-controlled power wheelchair. During his passage through the Syracuse area, he was joined by Ben Walsh of the New York State Canal Corporation to observe local sites like Onondaga Lake Park.

Timeline

  1. In 2008, Ian Mackay was paralyzed in a bicycle crash.

  2. In 2016, Mackay crossed Washington State in his wheelchair.

  3. In September 2026, Mackay traveled through the Syracuse area.

Culture Shift

This journey represents an extension of the 2016 Washington State cross-state journey, demonstrating a growing trend of advocates using personal endurance feats to force policy changes in public space design. It signals a move toward universal design standards in state parks and outdoor trails nationwide.

Residents can utilize existing accessible resources, such as all-terrain wheelchair rentals now available at Green Lakes State Park. Mackay's visibility highlights infrastructure like the Wegmans Playground at Onondaga Lake Park as models for future inclusive development.

The takeaway

Advocates like Mackay prove that mobility impairments should not preclude individuals from accessing the outdoors. Ensuring public trails feature air-controlled accessible equipment and inclusive design remains essential for equitable state park use.

Further reading

For more information on accessible recreation, visit the Special Needs section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WSTM.

Live Poll

Is your local trail system adequately designed for people of all physical abilities?