Cycling For All

I started to think about getting my own cycle after building up my confidence cycling at Wheels for Wellbeing sessions. I took advice from their friendly staff and after getting the name of a supplier who could supply a trike, I found myself in possession of a rather flashy trike.I added a bike box on the back (to prevent people nicking my shopping) and my husband came up with an ingenious device to attach my crutch to the trike. The trike did not come cheap but I got help from a local advice centre to raise money towards the cost.Buying and using the bike has been a big learning curve, not only learning road sense but also the importance of the bike being in good working order and how to deal with a puncture.Soon after I got the bike two ball bearings went.  The company I bought it from had changed hands and I ended up making my own arrangements to get the trike fixed. Luckily a local bike shop did it for me so it worked out OK in the end.

I’ve had the excitement of being told by the police not to cycle in St James Park!

If I was buying a bike now I’d go for something more heavy duty for London.  There have also been problems parking my trike in hospital car parks. After more training and advice from Wheels for Wellbeing, including going out with them on the roads of London, I felt able to go it alone.  I now use the trike for hospital appointments and lots of other journeys. I’ve even been on a Rally and the ‘Sky Ride’, wearing the Wheels for Wellbeing vest.  I’ve had the excitement of being told by the police not to cycle in St James Park.  My kids are impressed – we can go for rides in the park as a familyIt’s liberating – my trike doesn’t need a battery like my mobility scooter but does need my energy, which is much better for me. Cycling is less tiring than walking and it’s fun.