Thanks to the Big Lottery Fund, we were able to purchase over 20 different specially adapted bikes to be used at the County Ground running track on a weekly basis. What started as a once a week class for the general public turned into a twice a week open class with four additional privately booked sessions per week. This doesn’t include one-off events and summer courses.
The range includes a Twister [2], which is a side-by-side tandem with two sets of handlebars and pedals, two hand-crank [3] bicycles for people with little or no lower body strength, trikes [4] for children and adults, two recumbent [5] bikes, a selection of four-wheeled quad bikes, and a platform bike that is suitable for wheelchairs.
The recumbent positions allow users to sit back and steer from the side, which provides a more comfortable position for some with weight or balance problems. The trikes and quads also help with balance and allow feet to be strapped in or splinted to aid the pedalling process.
Most bikes can switch from free-wheel to fixed wheel systems,which means that users who have difficulty pulling pedals upwards or completing full circles can be aided by continuous turning and momentum.
The bikes are wonderful because someone in a wheelchair can get that feeling of being on a bike, and people who can’t ride independently can take part in a type of exercise they might not otherwise try.” Angie Smith, manager of Upham Road Day Centre
All sessions will be held at the running track behind STFC County Ground. It is a safe, enclosed environment that offers smooth cycling surfaces and white lines that can act as directive aids for the visually impaired cyclists. Structure will be added to some classes where appropriate.
We have two open classes running at the County Ground:
- Monday 10am – 11am
- Thursday 1.15pm – 2.15pm
Both charge Swindon Card prices (often around £2 depending on your Card status) and do not require bookings. We also allow for private bookings, which Crowdys Hill School and One Step Ahead Day Centre already take advantage of. This allows a group to book the bikes and the track on a weekly basis and run their own classes at £10 per session. Bookings for private sessions should be make via Croft Leisure Centre [6]. To try the bike in advance, we recommend attending one of the above open classes.
If you would like more information about the bikes please email CTC Development Officer, Anna Cipullo [7], or call 07717 696672. If you would like to book a private session, please contact Croft Leisure Centre, 01793 526622, or drop by unannounced to one of our above open classes.
See our bikes in action in the launch party video [8] courtesy of SwindonWeb.
