Accessible cycling for young disabled people in Blackpool 22/03/2010

Blackpool Council has recently purchased a fleet of adapted bikes for use by people who cannot ride a two wheeled bike for a number of reasons such as a disability or balance issues.  Having this fleet allows those people to enjoy all the benefits that cycling brings to people who take riding a two wheeler for granted, such as independence, confidence and improved health.

The bikes are kept at Stanley Park and can be accessed by groups who care for people with a range of physical and learning difficulties.

I was lucky enough to go and try out the bikes with pupils from Park School and their teacher Jeanna Hickey, Laura from Blackpool Council who manages the fleet and Paul and Barbara, Cycle Trainers from the Cycle Blackpool team.  The pictures show the youngsters having a great time on the cycles.  These pictures show part of the fleet of bikes, Jeanna giving the children a briefing at the beginning of the session and Laura helping the children to put the new ‘bikes’ through their paces.

Stanley Park is a great venue for the fleet because it has wide pathways and many interesting features such as an Italian garden and a lake.  There are also enclosed areas including a netball court and a running track where the ‘bikes’ can be used with complete confidence.

Park School are applying for a Bike Club grant to get a couple of adapted bikes based at their school so some children can build up their confidence before progressing to a two wheeler and to expand their Monday after school bike club to use the bike fleet on a regular basis.  They are well placed for using the adapted bikes as they can walk to Stanley Park: I look forward to working with them as they use the shiny new bikes for some really healthy exercise and enjoyment.