Bikes so everyone can cycle
A grant from London Cycling Campaign (LCC) has ensured that all service users at Bede House can learn to ride a bike and cycle together as a mixed-ability group.
The Bede House organisation provides resources and support for adults with learning difficulties and special needs. The LCC awarded a grant to help them develop a cycling element to the activities that they offer and to purchase an array of bikes, including three-wheeled trikes.
Bede House already had a few bikes, but because they were all two wheelers, quite a few clients couldn’t join in. Project worker Sarah said: “Now we’ve got new trikes, everyone who wants to ride can, which means that they now get that feeling of freedom that cycling gives you – the wind in your hair, the ability to get places quicker and just being out and about.”
Now Bede House has two weekly cycle groups. When LCC project officer Belinda Sinclair visited the project, she spoke to Emmanuel*, one of its regular riders. When choosing a bike, Emmanuel said: “I’m going to ride this one, I like it because I can go fast and I like braking. But I will be careful because I’m good at riding.”
Craig*, another young service user, made a beeline for one of the new trikes and said “I like it because I like riding it and I like being with my friends.”
Seeing the group in action, Belinda said “Watching them cycle, all signs of any behavioural difficulties or confidence issues disappear. They’re just young people out enjoying a ride on their bikes in the summer sunshine.”
She then noticed that Craig had got off his trike and was pushing it along. Explaining why, project worker Sarah said: “One of the things Craig does when he’s happy, is push things. It might look like he’s got off because he’s had enough, but I know that’s not the case. He’s pushing it because he’s having a great time.”
Result: By gaining access to the right equipment, and with a programme tailored for cyclists of all abilities, service users can discover independence through cycling together.
A grant from London Cycling Campaign (LCC) has ensured that all service users at Bede House can learn to ride a bike and cycle together as a mixed-ability group.The Bede House organisation provides resources and support for adults with learning difficulties and special needs. The LCC awarded a grant to help them develop a cycling element to the activities that they offer and to purchase an array of bikes, including three-wheeled trikes.Bede House already had a few bikes, but because they were all two wheelers, quite a few clients couldn’t join in. Project worker Sarah said: “Now we’ve got new trikes, everyone who wants to ride can, which means that they now get that feeling of freedom that cycling gives you – the wind in your hair, the ability to get places quicker and just being out and about.”Now Bede House has two weekly cycle groups. When LCC project officer Belinda Sinclair visited the project, she spoke to Emmanuel*, one of its regular riders. When choosing a bike, Emmanuel said: “I’m going to ride this one, I like it because I can go fast and I like braking. But I will be careful because I’m good at riding.”Craig*, another young service user, made a beeline for one of the new trikes and said “I like it because I like riding it and I like being with my friends.”Seeing the group in action, Belinda said “Watching them cycle, all signs of any behavioural difficulties or confidence issues disappear. They’re just young people out enjoying a ride on their bikes in the summer sunshine.”She then noticed that Craig had got off his trike and was pushing it along. Explaining why, project worker Sarah said: “One of the things Craig does when he’s happy, is push things. It might look like he’s got off because he’s had enough, but I know that’s not the case. He’s pushing it because he’s having a great time.”Result: By gaining access to the right equipment, and with a programme tailored for cyclists of all abilities, service users can discover independence through cycling together.