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NEW BIKES!

We are the proud owners of two new and very special bikes delivered to us courtesy of WRK in Peterborough, the UK agents for Dutch manufacturer Van Raam.

The first bike is the Velo Plus, a very special machine which has a platform at the front which enables a wheelchair to be wheeled onto the platform and fastened securely with three strong webbing straps and hooks. In addition there is an inertia reel lap seatbelt for the wheelchair user. First reactions from users are very positive and emphasise how safe and secure they feel when their wheelchair is fastened on the bike. A major advantage is that there is no need to transfer the user from their wheelchair and they can continue to benefit from any special adaptations or adjustments they have made to their wheelchair.

You might think that it would be incredibly hard work for the cyclist on the back with the weight of two people plus a wheelchair and a large and very complex bike, but not at all. It is in fact a comfortable and very responsive ride, and riders have commented on how surprised they were how light it felt.

Our other new cycle is a very swish looking Twin Rider featuring a low step through frame and the ability to link or to separate the pedal action of both riders. This is a valuable addition to our range of bikes as it sits midway in size between Howie/Ross and Silver and caters for a wide riders height range.

The new Velo Plus wheelchair bike

The Twin Rider dual bike

BBC Filming for CBeebies

On September 3rd 2009 we spent the whole day being filmed by a BBC camera crew for the CBeebies programme 'Something Special'. We were lucky that the weather held for the day, so that despite the high winds the crew were able to complete all the shots they had planned. Programme presenter, Justin, spent the day cycling one of the children around the park on the Velo Plus wheelchair bike, playing by the stream and finally picnicking in the evening sunshine - and a chilly wind!

WE don't yet know when the programme will be transmitted but watch this space for further news. If you would like to see the photos which were taken on the day by one of all volunteers, David, the please click here.

Veteran Cyclists support Companion Cycling

Our sincere thanks go to the Veteran Cyclists who once again showed their generous support for Companion Cycling in 2006. The Chestnut Sunday celebrations in Bushy Park were the occasion they chose to hand over a cheque for £1,000 to Companion Cycling to help support our work. Bill and Margaret Squirrell were there representing the Veteran Cyclists and Richmond's deputy mayor at the time, councillor Clare Head, was on hand to do the honours and hand over the cheque on their behalf.

Our photo shows (L to R) Margaret Squirrell, Richmond deputy mayor Clare Head, Jane Marsters (CC trustee), Judy Cobbett (CC chair), Bill Squirrell and Nancy Marks (CCtrustee).

More than ten years old and still growing!

It was back in 1995 that a small group of people led by our founder, Judy Cobbett, got together to turn a dream into a reality. That dream was to help make cycling accessible to everybody regardless of their age or ability. Little could they have imagined then how popular their idea would become and how it would enrich the lives of so many people over the years.

Things have changed a bit since those early days. We've got many more cycles now, especially tricycles, and we now have the luxury of a heated office and two sheds crammed full of cycles. A far cry from the days when we used to sit and shiver in the old Dutch Barn area (where the indoor riding manege now stands). In those days we used to close down for 3 months from Christmas until the end of March but not any more; we now only close for a week over the Christmas period - and if you are very nice to us we may even open up for you then if you have a very special reason.