CYCLING FOR ALL

London’s first Inclusive Cycling Centre has opened at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, as Zoe Portlock explains

Social Enterprise

Bikeworks is challenging perceptions of who can cycle and addressing the inequalities that are still experienced by Londoners in accessing cycling. Its new Inclusive Cycling Centre is delivering a one-stop shop experience for adapted and specialist cycles, sharing knowledge and advice on the right cycle to purchase, gained from 17 years’ experience as an inclusive cycling organisation.

In partnership with the London Legacy Development Corporation and London Marathon Foundation, the Inclusive Cycling Centre is situated on the world-famous Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and will showcase cycles from trusted brands such as Van Raam and TomCat. People can trial the cycles using the beautiful off-road spaces of the park, or by joining an All Ability Club, where trained cycle instructors support riders with the individual fit of a cycle and share advice.

Co-founders and co-CEOs, Jim Blakemore and Zoe Portlock, created Bikeworks to tackle barriers to participation, developing a programme of cycling to connect the most excluded people to the legacy of the London 2012 games. For them, the opening of the centre has been part of the vision as they continue to disrupt perceptions of who can cycle, and the difference cycling makes in people’s lives.

“Promoting cycling for everyone is at the heart of what we do at Bikeworks. No one should be left out from experiencing the joy and freedom and health benefits it brings. Adapted cycles are a considerable investment, so it’s essential people receive a tailored face-to-face service from an experienced team, including the opportunity to try,” said Jim.

“Research tells us that disabled people are twice as likely to be physically inactive and over 30% of disabled people who do not cycle would also like to give it a go. At Bikeworks we believe this to be an even higher statistic, more so if you’re struggling with money or live in an inner-city environment,” added Zoe. “We believe everyone deserves to enjoy the freedom, happiness and health benefits of cycling, and to achieve this we provide free-to-access activities while sharing our knowledge on purchasing the right cycle.”

Reaching out

Bikeworks engages 3,200 Disabled Londoners and carers through weekly All Ability Clubs across six park locations. Designed for people with learning, physical and/ or sensory disabilities and health conditions, and their carers, who attend on a regular basis to enjoy cycling on a range of adapted cycles. Last year 14,000 free-toaccess sessions were delivered.

Mark is a regular club visitor and his own story is testament to the positive impact accessing cycling has had: “Bikeworks has become a very important part of my life. I was a keen tricyclist throughout my childhood. It gave me independence. I learnt to drive and moved away to college, so cycling became just a fond memory. Since 2012 I’ve been cycling with Bikeworks nearly every week. I’m now walking better than I’ve done in years and have made some really good friends. I’ve even learnt to ride on two wheels, although I’m still more comfortable on three.”

For cyclists like Megan, who has dyspraxia and finds it difficult to ride a two-wheel bike, her goal has been to cycle with her dad who is a cycle enthusiast. For carers and families, being able to enjoy an activity together is not always possible, making cycling even more impactful.

The evolving Bikeworks project also includes a ‘side-by-side cycle service’ that addresses loneliness and isolation, and a rehabilitation programme launching later in 2023.

Instrumental in supporting the vision of the Inclusive Cycling Centre is the London Legacy Development Corporation and the London Marathon Foundation’s Active Spaces Fund. Speaking at the launch this spring, Paul Brickell, director of regeneration and community, commented: “Bikeworks does such great work in making sure everyone can have access to cycling. We are particularly proud to support this new Centre for Excellence focused on inclusive cycling.”

Useful Contacts

n Bikeworks Retail Shop retail.bikeworks.org.uk n All Ability Clubs bikeworks.org.uk/all-ability/ all-ability n Side-by-Side Cycle Service bikeworks.org.uk/cycle-taxi-service n For more information bikeworks.org.uk