'Inclusive bike sessions help me walk much better'

Disabled riders say free cycling sessions have helped them "get back on their feet".

The Places to Ride scheme, jointly run by British Cycling and Plymouth Active with support from Plymouth City Council, offers people with physical or learning disabilities the chance to cycle with adapted bikes at Brickfields Athletics Track.

Grant funding which keeps the sessions free runs out at the end of March, and the council said more money had been secured with the hope plans would be finalised "in the next few weeks".

Nigel Williams, who spent 20 years in the Royal Marines, said he enjoyed coming to the sessions and it had a big impact on his health.

Before coming to the sessions, Williams said he had spent seven years in a wheelchair and could "just about walk".

"When I first came here, after doing a few laps, I was knackered," he said.

"I now do 20 plus laps and my knees are better and I can walk much better.

"Being stuck in a wheelchair for seven years, I couldn't do exercise at all, but this has helped me lose weight and my clothes fit me again now."

The scheme has more than 30 adapted bikes including those operated with arms and hands rather than legs.

Steve Houghton said he has trouble walking as his knees were "shot" after spending 34 years serving in the Royal Navy.

Houghton, who uses a bike powered by his arms and hands, said he loved going around on the track.

He said: "Being outdoors in the fresh air, doesn't matter if it's rain or shine, it's beautiful and there's great people up here as well.

"It's just perfect, it's great and all that fresh air in your lungs, you can't beat it."

Former PE teacher Ruth Brown got involved with the project after doctors said exercise would help slow down the effects of a spinal condition she had.

"I love coming up here, this group is wonderful as it's good for social along with exercise," she said.

British Cycling claimed since the Places to Ride scheme was launched nationally in 2019, it had helped the NHS save £13.1m.

Flo Swann, a community coach at British Cycling, said the sessions provide social interaction, mental stimulation and physical benefits to strengthen joints and move muscles riders might have lost over time.

"You watch them going round [the track] and they've got that smile on their face, meeting new people, so it's a great initiative that's getting people on bikes," she added.

With grant funding set to end, Swann said the sessions would have to be charged or cancelled if further money is not forthcoming.

However, an application for funding from Plymouth City Council has been submitted through Plymouth Active - and the authority said more money had been secured.

A council spokesperson said: "The inclusive led bike rides are a great way for people to grow in confidence, in a safe place, and we are more than happy to continue to support these sessions which Plymouth Active Leisure currently run.

"While it is true a chunk of funding comes to an end of this financial year, more funding has been secured under the Local Transport Consolidated Funding Settlement.

"We are finalising the paperwork and processes that the council needs to go through when it allocates funding – but this will be completed in the next few weeks."

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