Latest news with #adaptedbikes
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Gloucestershire's inclusive cycling charity expands due to demand
A charity running inclusive cycling sessions for people with disabilities has expanded to accommodate its "growing community" of Beyond Grass (GBG) Bikes, run six weekly sessions throughout Gloucestershire, using adapted bicycles which cater to riders' various needs. With 2,000 people taking part in the last three months, they have extended their programme to include the track at the Prince of Wales Stadium in and events officer Will Alonso said that for many people, the sessions are their "only way of getting active", as adaptable bikes can cost up to £20,000. "Our main goal is to get everyone cycling," Mr Alonso said. "We will very rarely turn someone away, and if we have to, we will do our best to make sure next time they turn up they can cycle." The charity has "a growing fleet" of more than 50 adapted bikes with different features - such as a side-by-side bike to enable participants to pedal while their carers brake and steer. 'Beautiful' inclusivity Sally Clark, a support worker at Oakley Adult Day Centre, described the sessions as "beautiful". "I've never come to this session before but it's absolutely amazing, the bikes are wonderfully adapted. "The fitness aspect alongside community spirit and having a bit of a laugh, it's fantastic." Mr Alonso said as the sessions have progressed, club members have "turned into more of a community", offering advice and recommendations for other accessible pastimes."Some people will come along, cycle three laps, and are so happy to sit and talk with people like themselves," he said."You see little communities forming within our wider community of cyclists, which all get together to help each other."It's definitely one of the perks of the job. We see the best version of every one of our participants."
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Yahoo
Cycling charity promotes work with 160 mile ride
Two cyclists are to take part in a 160-mile tandem ride to raise awareness of a project that supports people with disabilities to get into cycling. Warmley Wheelers, based on the Bristol to Bath cycle path, has a range of adapted bicycles for riders and their carers. Project co-ordinators, Eduoard Guidon and John Simmons, will spend four days cycling from Wiltshire to Somerset, taking in Swindon, Bristol and Bath. "We aim to raise awareness of inclusive cycling, and to make cycling accessible for people with disabilities who might otherwise think that cycling isn't important," said Mr Guidon. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire Warmley Wheelers was started ten years ago to provide battery-assisted bikes, bikes with platforms for wheelchairs, recumbent bikes and a variety of trikes, as well as the popular side-by-side tandems. Mr Simmons said: "It's a complete range and primarily people with learning difficulties are the target audience, but increasingly we've moved to also cover people with other health conditions. "We really need help to try and keep the whole service going and to keep the price low and reasonable for our users - to make it accessible in all senses of the word." "One of the great joys of the project is seeing the expression on the faces of people as they come back," said Mr Guidon. "They invariably look more serene because they're able to experience a different level of independence and seeing the world in a way they might not otherwise be able to." The project, which is supported by the charity Milestones Trust, is based on the Bristol to Bath railway path, and users can also access the nearby Warmley Forest Park. "One of the things we are looking to expand is our buddy programme," said Mr Guidon. "Most of our users have a carer to look after them, but we have a small number on their own, who lack confidence and need a volunteer to go along with them. "Our capacity to offer that is still fairly limited," he added. The ride starts later from Highworth, Wiltshire, at 09:00 BST and finishes on 17 June in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Cyclists take part in slow ride for safer streets Adapted bike charity sees huge rise in demand Bike project 'promotes independence' Milestones Trust
BBC News
14-06-2025
- BBC News
Wiltshire cycling charity promotes work with 160 mile tour
Two cyclists are to take part in a 160-mile tandem ride to raise awareness of a project that supports people with disabilities to get into cycling. Warmley Wheelers, based on the Bristol to Bath cycle path, has a range of adapted bicycles for riders and their carers. Project co-ordinators, Eduoard Guidon and John Simmons, will spend four days cycling from Wiltshire to Somerset, taking in Swindon, Bristol and Bath."We aim to raise awareness of inclusive cycling, and to make cycling accessible for people with disabilities who might otherwise think that cycling isn't important," said Mr Guidon. Warmley Wheelers was started ten years ago to provide battery-assisted bikes, bikes with platforms for wheelchairs, recumbent bikes and a variety of trikes, as well as the popular side-by-side tandems. Mr Simmons said: "It's a complete range and primarily people with learning difficulties are the target audience, but increasingly we've moved to also cover people with other health conditions. 'Level of independence' "We really need help to try and keep the whole service going and to keep the price low and reasonable for our users - to make it accessible in all senses of the word.""One of the great joys of the project is seeing the expression on the faces of people as they come back," said Mr Guidon. "They invariably look more serene because they're able to experience a different level of independence and seeing the world in a way they might not otherwise be able to." The project, which is supported by the charity Milestones Trust, is based on the Bristol to Bath railway path, and users can also access the nearby Warmley Forest Park."One of the things we are looking to expand is our buddy programme," said Mr Guidon."Most of our users have a carer to look after them, but we have a small number on their own, who lack confidence and need a volunteer to go along with them."Our capacity to offer that is still fairly limited," he added. The ride starts later from Highworth, Wiltshire, at 09:00 BST and finishes on 17 June in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.
