Disabled people in the Keighley area can now take up cycling with their friends, families or carers.
They can use special bikes and trikes and receive training from volunteers at a new district-wide cycling club.
The club has been set up by Bradford Disability Sports and Leisure, which already offers several activities in Keighley and Bradford.
Funding has been raised by people who took part in sponsored bike rides to Hamm, in Germany, over the past two years.
The Bradford Disability Cycling Club was officially launched by Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe, a Bradford MP, last Friday, at the city’s Lister Park.
The club has bought expensive bikes and trikes, some hand-operated, for all ages and abilities.
There is also a tandem to help partially-sighted or blind people, plus a couple of “piggy-backs” and “tag-a-longs”.
Two years ago volunteers, including a number from Keighley, cycled to Hamm, in Germany, Bradford’s twin town, to raise money to send local disabled sports people to the Special Olympics. During their journey the “Hammsters” came up with the idea for a cycling club and decided to ride again last year specifically to raise money to set it up.
They have also received help from Bradford Council, Bradford and Airedale Community Health Services and private sponsors.
The club will be based in Lister Park, running from a courtyard next to the park’s Cartwright Hall Art Gallery.
Pauline Montgomery, chairman of BDSL, said the club was “very exciting” and made Bradford a leading city for disability sports.
She said “I still find it hard to believe that BDSL has been able to get to the stage of opening our own cycling club.
“Even harder to believe is that the Hammsters are still out there three years on raising more money. I know it is a dream come true for many of them.”
Francine Hoddy, a Hamm veteran and the cycling club project manager, was looking forward to the first sessions.
She said: “We can’t wait to see the smiles of the riders when they feel the wind on their face and are filled with the sense of achievement, freedom and fun cycling brings.
“It will make the memories of all the aches and pains, cuts and bruises, and cycling in all weathers endured by the Hammsters disappear completely.” Gerry Sutcliffe said: “This is a magnificent new venture for Bradford Disability Sport & Leisure and will offer from June disabled individuals, groups and local schools the opportunity to cycle around Lister Park.” There will be taster days starting on Saturday, May 30.
People wishing to book sessions as individuals or groups should contact BDSL on 01274 437093 or email bsr2@btconnect.com.
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