@wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk
A disabled people’s cycling organisation campaigning for equity in cycling, #ActiveTravel, multimodal journeys, and mobility justice. #BeyondTheBicycle Find out about our work at www.WheelsForWellbeing.org.uk
In our latest cycle story, we catch up with Susie, one of our cycle instructors at the Ladywell Day Centre in Lewisham.
Find out why she loves working for Wheels, and how far she's cycled in the last 6 months. It's a lot!
https://wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/our-cycle-stories-susie-bannister/
If you would like to know when we add new information and resources, please sign up to our campaign newsletter for updates. The form is on our campaign page: wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/ejeo.
View a copy of our newsletter. preview.mailerlite.io/preview/1038...
View a copy of our newsletter.
A photo of the front cover of the campaigns newsletter. At the top is the Wheels for Wellbeing logo. Underneath are links to the following pages on the WfW website: Sessions, Research, Resources, Support Under that is a graphic titled "mobility aid regulations are out of date. Disabled people need future-proofed laws that enable us to choose the mobility aids that work best for us." There are three mobility aids shown - a recumbent e-trike with one rider, an in-line tandem mobility scooter with two riders, and an invented robot dog based on a Boston Dynamics walking robot combined with a powerchair, with one rider. The people using these devices are saying: "My e-trike is my mobility aid" "Our tandem mobility scooter is our mobility aid" "My robo-dog is my mobility aid". A man standing on the left is holding a scroll which reads "Ye olde invalid carriage regulations 1988" and saying "Er..."" Underneath in black text are the words " Wheels for Wellbeing Mobility Aids Legal Changes Update."
To support the DfT’s consultation into mobility aid changes and to
achieve the best possible outcomes for Disabled people, we are putting together some explainer information resources
DPOs: Tuesday 17 March, 1pm-2:30pm
Active Travel: Friday 20 March, 12pm-1:30pm
Mobility Aids Industry: Thursday 26 March, 10am-11:30am
General Public: Tuesday 31 March, 6pm-7:30pm
General Public: Thursday 16 April, 7pm–8:30pm
Visit our website to book a place: www.wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/ejeo
Sessions are targeted for different audiences, but if there’s a time that works for you, please sign up. If you’re not able to make these sessions, please get in touch with us – we’re always happy to talk!
These friendly, semi-structured discussions are scheduled for 1 hour but with flexibility to continue for an extra 30 minutes.
There are three mobility aids shown - a recumbent e-trike with one rider, an in-line tandem mobility scooter with two riders, and an invented robot dog based on a Boston Dynamics walking robot combined with a powerchair, with one rider.
Getting ready to complete your government mobility devices consultation response?
Got a few questions? Want to challenge some of the things we’re saying, or discuss different viewpoints and concerns?
Sign up to one of our free Every Journey Everyone discussion sessions.
Selfie of masc presenting person wearing trilby, a greed jumper and dark blue shirt. Behind, neo-gothic buildings in yellowish stone. Many will recognise the building as Parliament.
And this impact is far-reaching as other Disabled people, who don't have cycles, have been harmed by bans as we've not been allowed to take, or use, our mobility aids where we need them.
#MobilityJustice #ECycleSafety
He was the only person in the room who spoke up for Disabled people — those hardest hit by so-called “safety” bans on eCycles, as for many Disabled people, cycling simply isn’t possible without e-assist.
Yesterday, Ben Foley, one of our Campaign and Policy leads attended a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling & Walking on eCycle safety.
Screenshot of the first slide. At the top in white text on an orange background is written "Mobility Justice: How new mobility aid regulations can provide equal mobility rights for all" Underneath is a graphic showing diverse people with different mobility aids. From left to right: An older adult sitting on a mobility scooter checking a phone, a toddler and older child are being towed in a cycle-type trailer behind the mobility scooter, a smiling person using a powerchair with a pram clipped to the front, a child using a manual wheelchair with power attachment, a person using a mobility scooter accompanying a child who is walking, a child using a powerchair, a couple riding an in-line tandem mobility scooter and a person using a manual wheelchair with an e-assist handcycle attachment Underneath in black text is Wheels for Wellbeing Campaigns and Policy Team and the Wheels for Wellbeing logo.
For those of you who were unable to attend any of our webinars to discuss the DfT consultation and mobility aids regulations, a recording on one of the events is now available.
You can view it here: youtu.be/dLozcGxZOAM
#MobilityJustice
Send an email to: mobilitydevices@dft.gov.uk
or write to them at
Micromobility Team, Roads Transport Group
Department for Transport
33 Horseferry Road
London, SW1P 4DR
The consultation doesn't finish until 22nd April so there is still time to ensure your voice is heard.
Graphic titled Disabled people need mobility equality has pictures of different Disabled people using wheeled mobility aids, some of which are presently legal to use in some ways, and some of which are not presently legal in public spaces. The pictures are surrounding the words “Rights to pedestrian mobility” and “Rights to cycling and cycling-equivalent mobility”. From left and top to bottom in columns, a child using a powerchair, an adult using a powerchair with a pram attached, an adult using a mobility scooter towing two children in a cycle-type trailer, an adult using a manual wheelchair and long cane, an adult on a mobility scooter assisting a small child who is walking, an adult on a recumbent trike, an adult using a manual wheelchair with an e-assist handcycle attachment, an older child on a bicycle, an adult and child using a side-by-side tandem. At the bottom is hashtag MobilityJustice and the Wheels for Wellbeing logo.
If you’ve already responded to the DfT’s consultation on powered mobility aids but feel you didn’t fully express your views or that you have additional points to make you can still submit further comments.
The course began with an online session and was followed by an in-person day at the weekend to build on and embed the learning. It was fantastic to see such strong engagement throughout, with everyone fully involved and clearly enjoying the day.
A photograph of a training session inside a room which has wood walls covered photos and framed jerseys. At the front facing the camera is a white woman with grey hair in a wheelchair wearing a pink scarf and a deep purple top and trousers. Behind her head is a screen showing a slide with the title “Cycles as Mobility Aids”. In front of her is a semi-cycle of people watching attentively.
A photograph taken outside in a park of a group of cyclists on a variety of different cycles including recumbents, trikes and handcycles.
Last week, we were delighted to deliver a bespoke blended learning training programme on inclusive cycling for Cycle Confident instructors working with both adults and children.
With multiple slots available throughout the week including a dedicated Sunday session for children and young people aged 25 and under, there’s plenty of chance to get cycling!
Book your session today, or get in touch to find out more.
wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/cycling-sess...
When & Where
We run weekly sessions at three venues across South London:
Herne Hill Velodrome
Croydon Sports Arena
Ladywell Day Centre
What to Expect
Friendly, qualified instructors and volunteers to support you.
A wide range of adapted cycles to suit your needs.
Traffic-free, flat venues where you can ride at your own pace.
Sessions tailored for individuals, groups and younger riders
photo of a white man with white hair and a beard and wearing dark glasses on a bright yellow tricycle. He is wearing a dark jacket, blue shirt and beige trousers. He is on tarmac and in the background there is a small patch of grass, and a person in a pink top and cap cycling. Around the edge are advertising slogans.
Whether you’ve never cycled before or are looking for a supportive environment to ride more, our inclusive cycling sessions are here for you! At Wheels for Wellbeing, we help Disabled people of all ages and with any type of impairment experience the joy of cycling.
Wheels4Me London is delivered in partnership with @walkwheelcyclet.bsky.social, @peddlemywheels.bsky.social and funded by the Motability Foundation.
Whether you just want to nip to the park or are planning an ambitious holiday, come along to a Wheels for Wellbeing session to see if a recumbent could work for you. If you like it, you could loan one of your own for a month, for FREE through #Wheels4Me London!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfch...
This could be you!
Spotlight on: ICE Adventure
Ever fancied touring but not been sure if it was possible for you? The ICE Adventure makes an incredible touring cycle: comfortable, manoeuvrable, foldable to fit in a car (*dependent) and the perfect exploring machine.
that's discriminating against Disabled people and excluding us from education, work, caring, family life and social activities.
Find out more: wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/similar-trip...
#MobilityJustice
Graphic titled “We think Disabled people should be allowed to make similar trips at similar speeds to non-disabled people” Drawings of: Left, an adult using a powerchair with a pram attached to the front, accompanying a young child riding a balance bike. Centre, a parent riding a cargo trike with four children of various ages in the front section. Right, an older adult sitting on a mobility scooter checking a phone. A toddler and older child are being towed in a cycle-type trailer behind the mobility scooter. All three adults are saying “Nursery drop-off… school… work… prescriptions… pick up kids… visit auntie… home for dinner… swimming… bedtime – (then in bigger writing) no problem!” At the bottom, hashtag MobilityJustice and the Wheels for Wellbeing logo.
Our society expects people to be able to make journeys at certain speeds. When rules force Disabled people to go more slowly than non-disabled people doing comparable trips for no good reason,
With a huge range of non-standard cycles available, we’re confident you’ll find the perfect ride.
Book your session today. wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/cycling-sess...
#InclusiveCycling #AccessibleCycling #HalfTermFun
A red running track with a person in a high-vis vest and a red top running in the distance. They are next to a child on a tricycle who is wearing a pink top.
Looking for something to do this half-term? Join one of our Inclusive Cycling Sessions!
We run sessions for Disabled people of all ages and impairments at three South London locations — Herne Hill, Croydon and Lewisham.
To find out about mobility aids laws in the UK, there are loads of explainer resources available on our Every Journey, Everyone campaign page, too.
wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/our-campaign...
#MobilityJustice #MobilityMatters #MobilityDevicesConsultation
Our first draft response to the government's Mobility Devices Consultation is now available!
This is a really long, detailed document meant to help with responding to the consultation questions.
A table with top line device max permitted powered speed (mph) and below it two columns, e-cycle and class 3 invalid carriage. Left column is route type, from top footpath/footway, bridleway, cycle track, cycle lane, bus lane., carriageway. Table shows with road speed limit and prohibition signs that e-cycles are not allowed on footpaths or footways, but can go up to 15.5mph powered on bridleways, cycle tracks, cycle lanes, bus lanes and on road carriageways. Class 3 "invalid carriages" (mobility scooters and powerchairs) are allowed at 4mph on footpaths and footways, but still only at 4mph on bridleways, and only 4mph if allowed at all on cycle tracks, cycle lanes and bus lanes. Class 3 "invalid carriages" are allowed to go at up to 8mph on road carriageways.
How slow can you go!
Did you know that powered mobility aid users are only allowed to go up to 4mph on traffic-free cycle routes?
Find out more about weird restrictions and grey areas in UK mobility aid laws in our detailed resources!
wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/wp-content/u...
And don't be put off by the weather as you'll be able to ride in the park if the weather is nice, and indoors if it's still raining!
Book your cycling session now!
wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/cycling-sess...
We look forward to seeing you soon.
#InclusiveCycling #AccessibleCycling #CyclingForAll