Campaigning
Isle Access ADAPTED CYCLING RETURNS
Adapted Cycling sessions have recently
returned after a long break because of coronavirus. At
the sessions we offer people with disabilities the
opportunity to cycle on specially adapted cycles that are
designed to meet their needs. We currently have 13
cycles and can accommodate anyone from 2 years old
to adult. Our cycles comprise a range of traditional
trikes with adaptations and other aids, a recumbent
child's kart trike, recumbent adult trikes, hand cycles,
and a wheelchair carrier. We have plans to purchase
an inline tandem trike in the near future that has the
rear person steering.
We are operating at the West Wight Sports and
Community Centre in Freshwater where we are now
based. Our first session was in mid-September and we
are running monthly sessions on the second Saturday
of every month in the sports hall. This is of course
subject to any changes in Government control
measures.
We have a Covid-19 risk assessment, an online
booking and payment system, social distancing, and all
the other coronavirus measures you would expect to
find. We have also made a significant investment in
additional helmets to enable them to be single use at
the session.
Our sessions are always well received and
provide a fun exercise activity for our clients. Many
would not normally have the opportunity to feel the
enjoyment and freedom cycling provides and our
wheelchair carrier is particularly popular for providing
this. Two person cycles like this, and the new tandem,
give both participants and carers the opportunity to
enjoy a fun activity together and share the experience,
which is doubly rewarding for all of us.
Many children and adults come to a session
having never ridden a cycle or propelled themselves in
any way before. They often face it with trepidation, but
with the adapted cycles, and the skilled and sensitive
volunteers we have, they are soon away and the beams
of satisfaction and achievement they show is the reason
we all do it!
If you know of anyone who would like to take
part and ride the cycles at our sessions, please contact
us on: Volunteer@isleaccess.co.uk For more
information on Isle Access or the Adapted Cycling
sessions: info@isleaccess.co.uk
Mick Watts
This article was written before lockdown 2