A man who received the world's first double arm transplant has ridden a bike for the first time - two years after surgery.<br /><br />Felix Gretarsson, 50, had to have his arms amputated in January 1998 after he was electrocuted at work fixing power lines.<br /><br />After decades without both arms, he convinced a surgeon to perform the world's first double arm and shoulder transplant in a 15-hour surgery in January 2021. <br /><br />The former electrician shocked surgeons with his incredible progress - being able to return to the gym, hug his children and drive.<br /><br />Now, the public speaker has taken the next step and returned to cycling - an activity he used to enjoy before his accident.<br /><br />Felix, a dad-of-two, from Lyon, France, said: "Before my accident I frequently used a bicycle to go to and from work. <br /><br />"I had a chair for my little girl and I really liked using them.<br /><br />"I had my eye on riding a bike again for a long time, even when I was waiting for my transplant, but I didn't know how it would go.<br /><br />"Every six months I sit down with my occupational therapist and we come up with the five most important things I want to accomplish in the next six months.<br /><br />"At the beginning it was things like personal hygiene and feeding myself, but then a year ago I started putting riding a bicycle on that list."<br /><br />As a child growing up in Iceland, Felix had a bike that used foot breaks, so began searching for a similar model.<br /><br />He ordered the bike in February this year, and took it or a ride earlier this month (9). <br /><br />He was also gifted a device from a US-based start-up, Hominid X, which helps people grip things more easily.<br /><br />Felix said: "I was a little insecure because I knew I needed a bike where I'm not leaning forward.<br /><br />"The steering itself wasn't the best form, but I was completely prepared for it not to go very well. <br /><br />"I thought I would fall but I haven't yet. <br /><br />"I'm sure I will at some point but so far it's been OK.<br /><br />"As the bike started to move I thought 'OK, I can do this.' <br /><br />"I'm not street ready yet but I have a feeling it's going to be a good summer.<br /><br />"It was a really good moment for me. The weather is so nice in France so it'll be nice to ride my bike to and from hospital appointments."<br /><br />The grandad-of-five is continuing to push the boundaries.<br /><br />He wants to climb the highest mountain in the Alps and Western Europe, Mont Blanc, next year.<br /><br />Before his accident Felix was an electrician, and on January 12, 1998, was sent out to fix a line that carried enough electricity to power 500 homes.<br /><br />There was confusion about how far he needed to go down the power line to get to the part that needed fixing, and he grabbed the wrong wire.<br /><br />He was electrocuted and fell 32ft to the ground.
