Wheels for All Launch – Alive Church, Prestatyn Wednesday 21st February 2018

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Cycling Projects working with the Artisans Collective and DVSC have developed the Wheels for All project in Denbighshire. Using the Denbighshire Learning Disability Forum’s adapted bikes which have been maintained by the Artisan Collective in Prestatyn.

The Wheels for All Project is being delivered by Cycling Projects and is a three year funded programme through the Steve Morgan Foundation. The aim of the programme is to create and sustain three new Wheels for All centres one in Denbighshire – Prestatyn & county wide; one in Flintshire - Deeside College Connahs Quay and in Conwy - Eirias Park Colwyn Bay.

It is a partnership with various disability forums, Welsh Lottery, Disability Sport Wales and Welsh Cycling.

The Wheels for All Initiative is a nationally recognised programme that makes cycling accessible to all. By providing a range of adapted cycles it makes cycling an option for people who find other forms of physical activity difficult.

Both children and adults with a disability and differing needs can benefit from Wheels for All. It allows people to get involved in quality cycling activities that are both physically and mentally stimulating and, above all, have fun.

It delivers a range of benefits including increased fitness and wellbeing, social interaction and confidence building. Individuals, groups and families can all take part.

As part of the funded project, volunteers will be trained to become ride leaders. This will involve technical information on the following:

· Wide range of adapted cycles used

· Risk assessments

· Instruction skills workshop

· Cycle development and progression through activities

· Session planning and delivery

· Promoting the service in the community

During the launch event on Wednesday 21st February over 70 people attended including partner organisations: Welsh Cycling; British Cycling; County Council Disability Officer’s from Denbighshire, Flintshire & Conwy; Cynnig; Conwy Connect; Prestatyn Environmental Project; Motiv8NorthWales; Sign Sight Sound; Age Connects, Denbigh; Artisans Collective; PCO's from Prestatyn; Cllr Arwel Roberts, Denbighshire County Council’s Learning Disability Champion; Cllr Gerry Frobisher, Mayor of Prestatyn & Meliden; Cllr Meirick Lloyd Davies.

In addition, several local residents and interested cyclists and the local Cycling Club, Prestatyn Social Riders, plus a couple of families with disabled children came along to get involved.

The funders, Morgan Foundation, were also in attendance as well as the supplier Tomcat.

There were various ages and abilities attending from young children with their parents, young people and adults with learning disabilities, people with mobility issues. Including 8 students from Bryn Tirion, Shotton, Flintshire and 6 students from Pengwern College, Denbighshire.

There were a range of different adapted bikes that individuals could try, allowing a safe space for all ages and abilities to give cycling ‘a go’.

After people tried out the different bikes there were refreshments available and displays from the different organisations supporting the event including DVSC, Denbighshire Learning Disability Forum, Cycling Projects, British Cycling and Welsh Cycling. During the day the Cycling Projects staff were on hand to discuss the different bikes and their capabilities and was a great day to introduce regular cycling activities for everyone.