We love cycles and we love people’s cycle stories. Our Staff and Trustees share our passion, and we wanted to share it with you too! Our Cycle Stories is a new blog series devoted to introducing you to our wonderful team, and the diverse and varied ways that cycling has become an enriching part of their lives.
What is your name, and what do you do at Wheels for Wellbeing?
I’m Kevin and I’ve been a Trustee on and off since 2013. Around the time of the London Olympics and the Mayor’s Vision for Cycling, Wheels for Wellbeing was well placed to influence what cycling in London might look like. Our vision went beyond two-wheeled bicycles ridden by people who can carry them up steps. I wrote a short paper called “The Inclusive Bike and its Environment” for LCC’s Policy Forum and that formed the starting point for what is now our “Guide to Inclusive Cycling”. These days I marvel at what our Campaigns and Policy Team manage to get done!
What has been your career trajectory; how did you come to end up at WfW?
When I left school I did Marine Engineering in Portsmouth until I rather carelessly lost my right leg from the hip. Then it was back to Oxford to rehabilitate and transition to Electrical Engineering, designing high current power supplies to energise superconducting magnets in MRI systems. Circumstances led to me working in Germany for a year with no access to a car and I used a Brompton folding bike for transport. That was a daunting prospect at the time, but became the beginning of my journey into using cycles as mobility aids. When I looked around for other Disabled people doing the same I inevitably ended up at Wheels for Wellbeing.
Do you use a cycle? What/how/where?
I find the Brompton incredibly versatile, not only does it fold well but I can quickly adjust the height of the saddle so I can scoot around indoors. That was a game changer for me – I was in Germany at a time when I had significant trouble with my shoulders and the Brompton really minimised the amount of walking I had to do on crutches.
I have an ICE recumbent trike which was a godsend when I broke my hand a few years ago. I bought a cargo trike when our first grandchild came along and that’s proved to be great for the school run, the weekly shop and for moving all sorts of things around. I have a sit-up-and-beg BSA ‘roadster’ which I use when wearing my prosthesis, but I need to be at the top of my game to do that these days.
Last August I injured my hip and I’ve been using a Stricker handcycle attachment with my wheelchair to give it time to recover. Most recently I’ve bought a vintage Velociman to restore, “…the only practical tricycle for those who are compelled to depend upon their arms for propelling power…”
What does cycling mean to you, and your overall wellbeing?
When I was boy, walking home from school because I’d spent my bus fare, I would often see a guy cycling one-legged up the Cowley Road. That became an important memory when I lost my leg and when I was looking for some exercise to help me quit smoking.
Now there’s rarely a day when I don’t cycle somewhere for something, or just for the sake of it. It keeps me active, sane, and helps me sleep.
Do you have a favourite session, route, or adventure?
During lockdown I would take a flask of coffee and ride West along the Windrush Valley, turning North to climb through the Wychwood to a bench overlooking the Cherwell Valley. The whole route was quiet and picturesque – just what I needed.
Since lockdown I’ve been dipping my toe into Audax again, particularly the do-it-yourself option where you submit a proposed route, pick a day to ride it and upload your gps file as proof of passage. I’ll still do a calendar event if I can get to the start on time, but trains begin too late at the weekends to get to most of them. Last year my favourite was Kingston Wheelers’ ride out to Ditchling Beacon, finishing back at The Park Brewery for a celebration beer brewed especially for the club’s 100th anniversary.
I’m a sucker for a study tour or an infrastructure safari too.
Is there anything that you think WfW does better than anyone else?
Advocating for Disabled people who cycle or want to cycle for mobility, from a position of lived experience.
If you had a magic wand, what one thing would you change in #ActiveTravel #InclusiveCycling to benefit Disabled people, their mobility, and their wellbeing?
The thing I’ve been focusing on recently is access to public transport; level boarding and step-free access for all mobility aids, through stations, interchanges and hubs. It’s one of the major enablers/disablers to Disabled people travelling independently.
Thank you for sharing your Cycle Story with us, Kevin!