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Inclusive bike charity expands to cope with demand

Bea Swallow
BBC News, Gloucestershire
BBC Will Alonso wearing a dark grey cap and a green T-shirt underneath a black zip up sweatshirt. He is smiling at the camera, standing on the orange-red track at the stadium. Beside him are some of the adaptable bikes. BBC
Will Alonso said participants' mental and physical health "skyrocketed" as a result of the sessions

A charity running inclusive cycling sessions for people with disabilities has expanded to accommodate its "growing community" of participants.

Goals Beyond Grass (GBG) Bikes, run six weekly sessions throughout Gloucestershire, using adapted bicycles which cater to riders' various needs.

With 2,000 people taking part in the last three months, they have extended their programme to include the track at the Prince of Wales Stadium in Cheltenham.

Fundraising and events officer Will Alonso said that for many people, the sessions are their "only way of getting active", as adaptable bikes can cost up to £20,000.

A picture showing the types of adapted bikes on offer at the sessions. There are white bikes at the front of the image with large platforms on the back for securing wheelchairs. In the background there are red recumbent bikes which are three-wheeled bikes.
Some bikes have a wheelchair platform to allow participants to enjoy the outdoors "safely and securely"

"Our main goal is to get everyone cycling," Mr Alonso said.

"We will very rarely turn someone away, and if we have to, we will do our best to make sure next time they turn up they can cycle."

The charity has "a growing fleet" of more than 50 adapted bikes with different features - such as a side-by-side bike to enable participants to pedal while their carers brake and steer.

'Beautiful' inclusivity

Sally Clark, a support worker at Oakley Adult Day Centre, described the sessions as "beautiful".

"I've never come to this session before but it's absolutely amazing, the bikes are wonderfully adapted.

"The fitness aspect alongside community spirit and having a bit of a laugh, it's fantastic."

Seven of the adapted bikes lined up on the muddy ground in the Forest of Dean. Some of them are side-by-side bikes, some have platforms on the back for securing a wheelchair and some are pedalled by hand.
Participants are welcome to try a few laps around the track to find out which bike suits them best

Mr Alonso said as the sessions have progressed, club members have "turned into more of a community", offering advice and recommendations for other accessible pastimes.

"Some people will come along, cycle three laps, and are so happy to sit and talk with people like themselves," he said.

"You see little communities forming within our wider community of cyclists, which all get together to help each other.

"It's definitely one of the perks of the job. We see the best version of every one of our participants."

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