This is a trade facing website. Visit the ACT's consumer site thecyclingexperts.co.uk for information and advice on cycling and find your local independent cycle retailer.

Search News

Results: 51-60 of 851


20 Mar 2025

Cytech, the internationally recognised training and accreditation scheme for bicycle mechanics, have partnered with Bristol-based charity Life Cycle to offer a range of bicycle mechanic...

19 Mar 2025

A lot of cycling retailers would consider managing inventory the most crucial aspect of running a shop, investing significant effort and time into keeping on top of stock. However, high street...

19 Mar 2025

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has translated its e-bike and e-scooter safety guidance videos into multiple languages to improve accessibility for delivery riders and other...

14 Mar 2025

UK governing body British Cycling has announced a four-year strategy to "reinforce Britain’s position as a world-leading cycling nation", including improving access to cycling across the...

12 Mar 2025

Towns and cities across Britain are already seeing a wave of closures as independent businesses shut their doors ahead of April’s triple tax burden, including those in the cycling retail...

5 Mar 2025

New research has revealed a recent uptick in UK consumer confidence, leading to increased hiring by businesses, with the retail sector responding positively to signs of economic resilience.

4 Mar 2025

The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a fresh warning about the dangers of UPP e-bike batteries, urging consumers to stop using them immediately.

28 Feb 2025

Independent cycling retailer and ACT member Velo Fit has become the first to stock a new brand of bikes focused on combining quality and affordability.

26 Feb 2025

ACT parent company Bira has cautiously welcomed Labour's Crime and Policing Bill but is calling for urgent action and immediate funding to address the surge in retail crime affecting independent...

19 Feb 2025

Electric cargo bike firm Zedify is set to enter administration following a failed search for new funding, after aiming to be active in 50 cities over the next few years.

Back to news menu

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

Back to news menu

Useful links

If you have any other queries please contact us.