Cycle track helps disabled people to be active

A cycling track is being hailed as a success after helping disabled adults and young people to become more active.

The circuit at the Moredon Sporting Hub in Swindon opened less than two years ago and is part of the national Places to Ride programme offering cycling opportunities across the UK.

British Cycling (BC) said the hub is helping people who have Type 2 diabetes and depression. It now wants to see similar schemes across the country.

One 75-year-old user said: "It's great, it's a nice environment and there's no traffic. I've been here since it started … it's improved my confidence."

Les Carter, who was a keen cyclist but a brain tumour caused him to lose his sense of balance, said it was the "highlight" of his week.

Since the hub opened in July 2024, more than 800 people with known disabilities have joined the sessions, including around 260 disabled adults and 440 young people, with SEND school groups attending weekly.

Becky Cox, BC's community developer in Swindon, said: "We pride ourselves in having options for everyone, if you come to us and want to cycle, we will find a way to help you cycle.

"Sometimes that's having different equipment, we have a wheel chair trike so even if you're unable to transfer out of a wheel chair you can experience the wind in your hair."

The hub also offers trikes where you can sit side-by-side with someone else who can control the bike whilst you help pedal as well - as having a range of single trikes which support with balance.

Cox said the track is also accessible for all: "It's a wide, tarmacked road, it's all enclosed and we have one gate for people to get in and out. It provides that safety for people who cognitively couldn't ride on the cycle paths and roads around here.

"For a lot of people who join this session, this is their only way of being active."

Sports and health chiefs want the government to invest £30m in the second phase of the programme to get more communities like Moreden out cycling after data from the first phase showed it saved the NHS more than £13m.

Charly Messen, 32, has a rare condition which affects her tissue and joints: "It's really beneficial for my mental and physical health because you're getting out and meeting people at the same time … I love it 100%."

BC said if they get the funding needed, the next phase will deliver over 250 new or upgraded cycling facilities across England, with a continued focus on inclusion, innovation and local need.