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5 Sep 2025

The average cycle trip in England lasted 24 minutes in 2024, remaining consistent with the previous year, new figures from the National Travel Survey have revealed.

4 Sep 2025

A panel event hosted by ACT Director Jonathan Harrison will focus on retailer experiences and how they are adapting to a number of challenges within the sector at this year’s inaugural...

3 Sep 2025

Cycling just two miles to work can improve heart health by up to 30 per cent compared with driving, new research has shown.

3 Sep 2025

The UK is far behind most European countries in e-bike sales, according to new research from ACT member Paul's Cycles.

2 Sep 2025

A barber's shop in Northern Ireland has proved that it's a cut above the rest by picking up the inaugural Love Your High Street Award 2025, following a public vote that attracted over 2,230...

29 Aug 2025

Pre-registration has now opened for the very first Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) show, taking place on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 September 2025 at NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire.

20 Aug 2025

ACT parent company Bira has expressed serious concern following today's announcement that UK inflation rose to 3.8% in July, higher than the expected 3.7% and marking the tenth consecutive month...

20 Aug 2025

Cycling and active living charity Sustrans has claimed there is strong evidence that a lack of infrastructure is the biggest barrier to getting more people on bikes in Northern Ireland.

14 Aug 2025

The global bike industry remains under pressure as Shimano, Giant and Canyon all report weaker profits and subdued outlooks for 2025.

13 Aug 2025

The ACT is set to be in attendance at the inaugural Cycling Industry News Live (CIN Live) trade show, which is set to bring together industry-wide education, market insight and product showcases...

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Wheels for Wellbeing present new data on disability and cycling

Posted on in Business News ,Brands & Products News , Cycles News , Political News

The results of Wheels for Wellbeing's 2021 national survey of Disabled cyclists are out! The data collected has been written up into a full report, which you can read here.


Firstly, as would be expected, the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns had a range of impacts on Disabled cyclists: 39% cycled more or began cycling for the first time because of the quiet roads, new accessible infrastructure or a lack of other transport or exercise options. Just under one third cycled less. Reasons for decreased cycling included the closure of inclusive cycling centres and pop-up infrastructure that blocked access to some routes. Hostility from road-users and members of the public also deterred some Disabled people from cycling.

As in previous years the majority (nearly 64%) of respondents reported that cycling was easier than walking and a similar number considered their cycle a mobility aid. However, many also reported being forced to stop cycling in public places and being challenged by staff, security guards, the public and police. Also similar to previous years, the most common barriers to cycling were inaccessible infrastructure, lack of cycle parking or storage and the cost of a cycle or adaptations. Other barriers included not being able to access cycle hire or an inclusive cycling session. Nearly one quarter reported being the target of abuse and hostility and a similar number cited concerns about benefit penalties if they cycled.

The most important enablers to Disabled people cycling were accessible cycle infrastructure, subsidies for non-standard cycles, recognizing cycles as mobility aids and reducing the speed and quantity of traffic in residential areas. Many also highlighted the need for an array of safe and supportive cycling environments ranging from specialist inclusive sessions to segregated and off-road provision, quieter streets and the re-education of drivers. Another crucial factor in enabling Disabled people to cycle is being able to bring cycles on a range of public transport services in order to make more multi-modal trips.

Wheels for Wellbeing are extremely grateful to the 245 Disabled cyclists (and those responding on their behalf) who completed the survey. The findings will support our campaigns for equal access to cycling for everyone alongside our work with policy-makers such as the Department for Transport and local authorities.

The key recommendations from the survey results are:

  1. Universal rollout of fully accessible cycle infrastructure, including parking and storage.
  2. Rapid implementation of policies that will make cycles affordable for Disabled people.
  3. An increased range of safe and supportive cycling environments, including specialist sessions, accessible, segregated and off-road cycle ways, quiet streets and driver re-education (building on the recent changes to the Highway Code).
  4. Formal recognition of cycles as mobility aids, to permit cycle-use by Disabled people throughout public infrastructure, including public transport, and eliminating the risk of benefit penalties for Disabled cyclists.
  5. Action to tackle prejudice, hostility and hate crime towards Disabled people.

 

Read the full report now

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