Case Studies
Hidden Disabled Cyclists
When we talk about Disabled cyclists, we often talk about cyclists who use non-standard cycles. There are some good reasons for this: people on non-standard cycles face the greatest infrastructure barriers, have the least representation, and have the fewest options for accessing cycles. But many Disabled cyclists have hidden Disabilities, and most ride a standard two-wheeled bicycle. Hidden disabilities are one of the themes of this year’s UK Disability History Month, so we thought we’d look at a few cyclists with hidden Disabilities.
Leigh’s Story – Fantastic Fundraising
After seeing this latest (of several) fundraising challenge and battling to balance on a bike, Leigh recently hired one of our handcycles as part of our cycle hire scheme to do a 30 mile trip and raise £300 for Garden House Hospice as part of their Pedal for Pounds challenge.
My Cycling Story: Quailyn
I initially heard about accessible cycling through an email from DASL (Disability Advice Service Lambeth). They mentioned Wheels for Wellbeing’s cycling sessions at the Herne Hill Velodrome, and my curiosity led me to register and visit the Velodrome weekly, doing circuits on the flat track. The realisation of how important cycling was to me, hit […]
This month: ‘Women’s Festival of Cycling’
From Saturday 17th July until Sunday 1st August 2021, Cycling UK is celebrating its annual ‘Women’s Festival of Cycling’. We at Wheels for Wellbeing have decided to join in with the fun, showcasing some of our wonderful women cycling on 2, 3, and even 4 wheels! FATIMA “I’ve definitely noticed more people going out on […]
The joy of cycling
2 wheels, 3 wheels, 4 wheels (or more): cycling is for everyone. To celebrate Bike Week 2021, we are re-posting some of the wonderful stories featured on our website in the recent past: stories of Disabled people who have discovered the joy of cycling for travel, exercise or leisure purposes… as you will see, cycling […]
Jamie’s 3 wheels
We are always looking to share individual perspectives, as these stories are powerful in showing Disabled people that cycling is a possibility, and to also encourage them to consider the many types of adaptive cycles that exist. Last June, we re-posted Jamie Wood’s blog post about cycling on 4 wheels (click here to read the […]
Shane
My name is Shane Booth and I’m a 46-year-old Disabled brain injury survivor. On 5th August 2009, I was involved in a severe motorbike accident in Baden-Baden, Germany. The accident left me fighting for my life, with several broken limbs and a traumatic brain injury. I was unable to speak for 3 months and have […]
Graham
Many of you will have read 100-year-old Kay’s cycling story, which we published on the Wheels for Wellbeing website back in September 2020. Her journey into cycling started after arthritis and gradual hearing and sight loss made a mobility scooter impractical. Since buying a Van Raam O’Pair from Tomcat Trikes in 2019, Kay and her […]
Fatima
I’ve enjoyed cycling from a very young age. I got my first cycle from my parents when I was 4, but when I was around 7 (due to trauma and surgery) I lost the use of my arm and leg. I really wanted to push myself to start cycling again; I managed it when I […]
Andrew’s 500-mile handcycling challenge
We recently reached out to Andrew Paddison, a handcyclist who has cycled 500 miles across the north coast of Scotland, to share his story. He very kindly accepted, and so we hope you enjoy the following blog post! You can also remain up-to-date about his cycling adventures via Twitter and Facebook. Happy memories: cycling during […]
Aisling’s Journey Into Cycling
Aisling Gallagher is a Lewisham Councillor and Disabled cyclist. If you’d like to learn more about their journey into cycling, then keep on reading… Becoming a cyclist I got into cycling when I was elected as a councillor in Lewisham, back in 2018. I wanted to be able to get to work in the evenings […]
Kay’s cycling story
Deciding on the perfect cycle: a wheelchair tandem From her late eighties and into her nineties, Kay found walking increasingly painful because of arthritis. She started to use an electric buggy, which for years allowed her to visit the local shops and park with family members, but gradual hearing and sight loss made it no […]
Lyndsay
Wheels for Wellbeing is offering a cycle hire scheme for participants until the sessions restart.
Kevin – on cycling with crutches
We’re always looking to share the experiences of Disabled cyclists, as everyone’s journey into cycling is different.
Jamie
One of our goals is to help increase peer support among Disabled people who cycle and those who don’t
Rafferty
Wheels for Wellbeing is offering a cycle hire scheme for participants until the sessions restart.
Ellis
Not only is Ellis Palmer a Journalist for the BBC World Service and BBC News Hour, he’s also an avid handcycling enthusiast!
Grant’s #twopointsixchallenge
Are you a participant, staff member, volunteer or supporter of Wheels for Wellbeing?
Scarlett’s #twopointsixchallenge
We are celebrating #GivingTuesdayNow by showcasing the progress of our staff members and supporters participating in the #twopointsixchallenge!
Natalie
Wheels for Wellbeing is offering a cycle hire scheme for participants until the sessions restart.
Daniel
Wheels for Wellbeing is offering a cycle hire scheme for participants until the sessions restart.
Zuayana & Farida
Zuayana has been coming to Wheels for Wellbeing’s inclusive cycling sessions at
Adella
Adella has been attending Wheels for Wellbeing’s inclusive cycling sessions for 1.5 years now. She has always loved cycling, but since developing rheumatoid arthritis can no longer use 2-wheel bicycles. When she came to her very first inclusive cycling session at Croydon Sports Arena, Adella was prepared for disappointment. She says that when it comes […]
