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The World Health Organisation (WHO) Says Tricycles are  Mobility Aids

This is how the WHO (2011) defines mobility aids:

“any piece of equipment or product, whether it is acquired commercially, modified or customised that is used to increase, maintain or improve the functional capabilities [e.g. mobility] of individuals with disabilities.

“Common examples include crutches, walking frames, wheeled walkers, wheelchairs (manual and powered), tricycles, scooters, orthoses such as callipers, braces and splints and prosthesis such as artificial legs. Devices such as white canes are also considered mobility devices.”¹

The Right to Mobility Aids

The United Nations (UN) (1993) defines mobility aids as devices “which enable persons with disabilities to achieve personal mobility” they state that “access to these devices is a precondition for achieving equal opportunities, enjoying human rights and living in dignity.”²

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD, 2006) states that signatory nations – which includes the UK – are “legally bound to fulfil the obligations … regarding personal mobility and the provision of mobility devices”. This includes taking “effective measures to ensure personal mobility with greatest possible independence for persons with disabilities” and facilitating their mobility “in a manner and at the time of their choice.”²

Tricycles should therefore be recognised as mobility aids in the UK. And since tricycles can be upright or recumbent, and powered by hands or feet, with or without e-assist, solo or tandem, this means lots of Disabled cyclists should have the right to use their cycle as their mobility aid across all public infrastructure including public transport. There is already good practice information available on this from the Netherlands.

My Tricycle, My Mobility Aid

“My disabilities, including poor balance, are not obvious. I have bought a secondhand trike and had it refitted for my needs and also bought a [new] trike, both using a specialised trike maker.”

“My recumbent trike has given me more freedom/ motivation to leave my house, even when I am really tired. My mental health is stronger because I don’t stay inside.”

(WfW, 2022)³

Arriva Netherlands: On Board with Cycles as Mobility Aids

Transport company Arriva (who also operate in the UK) allow tricycles (and other cycles) used as mobility aids by Disabled people on board their trains and buses in the Netherlands as standard in many regions. Mobility scooters larger than the UK maximum “invalid carriage” dimensions are also allowed on trains in the Netherlands:

In Friesland, Groningen and Limburg:

Cycles covered by health insurance are allowed on trains free of charge at any time: No special permit is required.⁵

Cycles used as mobility aids can be taken on trains for free, even during rush hour, provided they have a standard “Disabled” sticker and you have any of a range of passes to show the cycle is a necessary aid.⁵

This means it is possible for Disabled cyclists in the Netherlands to travel with their cycles on trains free of charge and to make multi-modal journeys. Disabled cyclists in the UK should be able to do the same.

UK Implications

Many public transport authorities such as Transport for London and Transport for Greater Manchester have the authority to permit cycles as mobility aids across their networks. Likewise, many train companies such as Arriva UK, South Eastern Trains and East Midland railways have trains with accessibility spaces that could easily accommodate more than one Disabled cyclist (and/or other mobility aid-user) at a time, and thereby fulfil their obligations under the UNCRPD.

We suggest that a good approach could be for public transport providers to expand current mobility scooter registration schemes (e.g. this scheme from Transpennine Express) into a single, national mobility scooter and cycle registration scheme to allow Disabled people who use cycles as mobility aids to check their cycle will fit onto the trains, trams and buses they want to use and to reassure providers that specific devices can be used safely on their services without risk to the user, staff or other passengers.

Trikes (and other cycles) on trains

“Being able to take my cycle on trains and tubes more easily, and cycle-friendly step-free access in more stations, would be very helpful.”

“Full access to rail is urgently required. Solves a range of issues.”

(WfW, 2022)⁴

More than 40% of train stations remain inaccessible to Disabled people.

(Leonard Cheshire, 2018)⁶

References:

¹ WHO (2011) Joint position paper on the provision of mobility devices in less resourced settings

² UN (1993) cited in WHO (2011) above.

³ UNCRPD (2006) Convention On The Rights Of Persons With Disabilities (CRPD)

⁴ WfW (2022) Wheels for Wellbeing – Publications and Research

⁵ Arriva Netherlands Travelling with a disability on the train

⁶ Leonard Cheshire (2018) Disabled people can’t use over 40% of train stations

For further information contact kay@wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk