Local Accessibility Kicked Into High Gear With Wheels For All

Dearne Valley College recently hosted a Wheels For All event at the campus, in partnership with Cycling Projects. Wheels For All provide modified bikes for both children and adults who may have difficulty or be unable to ride traditional bikes.
Wheels For All is a national inclusive cycling charity that specialises in providing specially adapted bikes for children and adults with disabilities and differing needs. They have over 50 Cycling Centres across the UK with the aim of adding more centres soon.
Sheffield City Region Wheels For All Coordinator Leanne Knight recently visited the College as part of the Wheels For All initiative currently being run by Cycling Projects.
Leanne had this to say about how the project got involved with Dearne Valley College: “We approached the College way back in December 2020, just before Christmas after meeting Curriculum Manager Debra Adams at a virtual event.
“We got together to discuss the project and feasibility of doing it and how it could work and opportunities it could bring.”
The project aims to build on the growing interest in cycling and getting more active. This ensures that more people are given the opportunity to experience the benefits that cycling can bring, and have the chance to include cycling into their day-to-day lives.
Wheels For All offer a range of bikes including Trikes, Arm Cycles and wheelchair transporters, suitable for adults and children who may have Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND).
Leanne added: “Our Arm Cycles are for people who may have limited use of their legs and work by using your hands to peddle. You can also add attachments to some wheelchairs allowing us to attach a chair to the Arm Cycles.
“Some of our bikes also allow wheelchairs to be positioned in front of the bike, allowing wheelchair users to get that full experience, while someone else does all the hard work of peddling.”
DVC Level 2 Sport students Aarron Joshua-Harper and Ryan Clapham volunteered at the event.
Aarron commented: “We’re helping out people with the modified bikes, making sure they’re safe while riding. The modified bikes make it easier for people who may not be able to ride traditional bikes to get out and exercise.”
Ryan added: “Some people aren’t very confident riding bikes – we’re here to help them get past that barrier and help them build that confidence by using this new equipment.”

Click here to learn more about Cycling Projects and Wheels For All.