Links to useful sites & cycling informationThis listing of inclusive cycling resources may help you find alternatives to Companion Cycling that are more local to you, or help you to set up a scheme yourself. We have checked out availability and confirm that as of mid-August 2021 most of the organisations listed below are up and running!
Cycling Projects in the London area.
Ability Bikes, Regents Park Saturday sessions for Camden residents, age 11+ with special needs. Tel: 0207 388 7932 https://www.westeustonpartnership.org/health-and-wellbeing/ability-bikes/ Currently suspended*Also operates Silver Cycling rides, which are free to older residents of Camden.
Buddy Bicycles, West London New inclusive specialised cycle hire in Osterley Park (National Trust) Currently suspended* for details see: https://www.ourbarn.org.uk/ email: cycling@ourbarn.org.uk For visiting Osterley, see https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley-park-and-house
Bikeworks all ability clubs at six venues across London including Olympic Park, Victoria Park, Wormwood Scrubs and Inwood Park (Hounslow), advance booking for groups of 6 or more and a mobile unit offering outreach sessions: https://www.bikeworks.org.uk/all-ability
EcoLocal Cycling regular inclusive cycling sessions at David Weir Leisure Centre, Carshalton: https://www.ecolocal.org.uk/ecolocal-cycling/cycling/adult-inclusive-cycling-sessions/
London Cycling for All This Brixton-based network is an umbrella for four of the inclusive cycling schemes listed here. They recently introduced Wheels4Me, a pilot special cycle hire scheme to bring the cycle of your choice to you: https://cyclingforall.org/wheels4me-london-cycle-hire/
London Recumbents Our first cycles were sourced after demo visits from this business based in Dulwich and Battersea Parks, which offers inclusive and mainstream drop-in cycle hire and advance booking for groups. Their website specifies that the group leader will need to bring ID: http://www.londonrecumbents.com/
Pedal Power sessions at Finsbury Park and Emirates Stadium: http://www.pedalpowercc.org/ for details and video on inclusive cycling. Email: pedalpowerhackney@hotmail.com
Wheels for Wellbeing, Outdoor tracks in Croydon & Herne Hill, (indoor facilities in Lewisham are currently suspended) http://www.wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/
UK-wide Cycling Organisations
Charlotte’s Tandems – click on this link to discover standard and 3-wheeler tandems for free extended hire to disabled people by a charity with volunteer helpers, UK- wide including South London and Surrey (our immediate area) and a list of web-links to inclusive cycling organisations. http://charlottestandems.weebly.com/
Cycling Projects, a Warrington-based national charity supporting numerous inclusive cycling projects in England and Wales: https://cycling.org.uk/wheels-for-all/ Tel: 01925 234213 Email: info@cycling.org.uk for details of which projects have re-opened.
Handcycling UK the national organisation for handcycling, offering taster weekends weekends at Stoke Mandeville for people with paraplegia and other conditions that prevent pedalling. Contact through website: http://www.handcycling.org.uk/
Inclusive Cycling Projects beyond London
Just a few of the schemes that we’ve discovered since we opened 25 years ago. See if you can find more by searching under inclusive cycling in the places where you’d like to go cycling.
Alice Holt Inclusive Cycling, forest-based near Farnham, Surrey. Offers a variety of specialised cycles on Thursday mornings or sessions by appointment: https://aliceholtinclusivecycling.com
Epsom, Surrey Wheels for All, a branch of Cycling Projects that offers regular inclusive cycling in Epsom & Ewell and Woking. Email: swfa@cycling.org.uk
Midland Mencap Parkride, based in Sutton Park near Birmingham. Offers free daytime and after-school cycling sessions on specialised bikes: https://midlandmencap.org.uk/parkride/
Pedall, based at Burley near Lyndhurst. Offer starter sessions and guided rides in the New Forest, courtesy of the National Park authority and volunteers: https://www.pedall.org.uk
York Get Cycling, providing inclusive cycle hire, try-out events and sales in a cycle-friendly city and the surrounding area: https://www.getcycling.org.uk/specialist-cycles/
Wales
BikeAbility A wide range of cycles for weekday and Saturday rides on-site near Swansea or along Clyne Valley cycle track: https://www.bikeabilitywales.org.uk Email: bikeabilitywales@ymail.com
Inclusive Cycling guides
Help to identify cycling options, support funding bids and select the best cycles for your needs.
Cycling UK (formerly CTC): Guide to Adapted Cycles for Inclusive Cycling https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/cycling-guide/guide-to-adapted-cycles An outline of specialised cycles and adaptations for inclusive cycling, and places offering this option. Produced by Cycling UK a national charity, which is also offering advice on safe cycling during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Wheels for Wellbeing: Guide to Inclusive Cycling Produced by London-based enthusiasts, this covers topics such as health benefits, legislation, infrastructure, facilities and design: https://wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/FINAL.pdf
Velovision Cycling Magazine and online archive of innovative cycle design and reviews: http://www.velovision.com/about-velo-vision/
Manufacturers and suppliers of specialised cycles
The following are some of the companies which we are aware of. There are doubtless others out there – if you know any then tell us about them and we will try to include them.
| London Recumbents – agents for Side-by-side and Duet tandems. | Tel: 020 8299 6636 |
| Mission Cycles – specialists in trikes | Tel: 01622 815 678 |
| Pashley – suppliers of traditional cycles, carrier bikes, accessories etc. | Tel: 01789 292 263 |
| Team Hybrid – Manufacturers of handcycle wheelchair attachments | Tel: 01329 832 068 |
| Theraplay – https://www.theraplay.co.uk/ specialised cycles | Tel: 0141 876 9177 |
| Van Raam – Dutch makers of specialised bikes and electric versions | |
| Ashfield Special Needs – UK agents for Van Raam and Roam Cycles | Tel: 07786 801333 |
| Get Cycling https://www.getcycling.org.uk/specialist-cycles/ York-based business/mobile fleet, hiring and selling all-ability cycles | Tel: 01904 636 812 |
Charities & Disability organisations AND info sources
The following are a few organisations, both local and national, which may be of interest. It is by no means an exhaustive list, but may help you to find the information you are looking for.
| DirectGov – Caring for Someone central Government information resources | |
| Contact a Family (now known as “Contact”) resources and support for families of children with special needs | Freephone Helpline: 0808 808 3555 |
| Counselling-Directory – find a counsellor near you | Tel: 0844 8030 240 |
| Equality & Human Rights Commission | Tel: 0845 604 6610 |
| Disabled Go (now known as “AccessAble”) Search for accessible resources | Tel: 01438 842710 |
| Disabled Workers Co-operative Database of disabled-run or disabled-friendly services and businesses | |
| Down’s Syndrome Association A support service for parents in London | |
| Mencap National organisation for learning disability support | Freephone Helpline: 0808 808 1111 |
| Mind The national mental health charity | Free Infoline: 0300 123 3393 |
| National Autistic Society | Freephone Helpline: 0808 808 4104 |
| RNIB National organisation and services for visually impaired people | RNIB Helpline: 0300 123 9999 |
| Scope Disability equality charity | ScopeHelpline: 0808 800 3333 |
| The Wheel Life – website created in the USA for wheelchair users | |
| Whizz Kidz – funding for children’s mobility aids, including cycles | Tel: 0207 233 6600 |
Local Information
| Richmond AID – advice & information on disability | Tel: 020 8831 6080 |
| Richmond CVS Our local Council for Voluntary Service | Tel: 020 8843 7945 |
| Totally Richmond the local community guide to Richmond upon Thames |
Cycling organisations & information
Finally, some more general information for cyclists.
| Cycle Touring Club (CTC) | Tel: 01483 238 300 |
| Cycling Projects | Tel: 01925 234 213 |
| London Cycling Campaign | Tel: 020 7234 9310 |
| Sustrans the National Cycle Network | Tel: 0117 926 8893 |
