People in Teesside with disabilities or visual impairments learn how to ride a bike

Stockton Wheelers Cycling Club say many come from afar to join them

Author: Karen LiuPublished 10th Dec 2024

People in Teesside with disabilities or visual impairments are being given the opportunity to feel what it's like to ride a bike for the first time.

Stockton Wheelers Cycling Club offers children and adults the chance to go on a trike or a tandem.

David Grant is a coach there and said: "We learnt how to work with people that would be on the bike that couldn't even see, but they want to ride and they really loved it. We also struck up a friendship. You get to know them so then everybody wants to come because of the bikes and they're also socialising.

"The reason I like it is because you give back. We can just jump on a bike and go wherever we want but we get to know everybody and every week we have some new people come.

"I feel bad when the weather's against us and we can't do the day. I think all of us feel that way because we put that time in because we enjoy it too. You see them week after week change and you see some of the youngsters don't usually talk to other people when they first come, but then over time things change.

"You can see the cyclists passing us today, they're all competent but in the early days they wouldn't be able to to ride. You get a real warm feeling inside when they come here and they see the bikes and within a short space of time, they start to be able to ride a bike and you can see the joy on their parents."

Anthony has been completely blind since he was six-months old. He has been coming to the club for the last two-and-a-half years and he said: "I really enjoy it. I really enjoy going on the tandem and exercising. It's really good. I love moving my feet on there.

"I think it's quite nice. I love it. I think it doesn't put me off being on the bike or a tandem. I think it's really good.

"I recommend it. I think it's a really good place. I've been on some bikes where they put straps on my feet and some without. I pedal straight on the bike."

Steve Newton is also a coach at Stockton Wheelers and he said: "We've gone from really small six to eight riders up to 20-25 riders on a Saturday afternoon. I'm quite proud of what we've achieved. There's myself and all the volunteers who are able to support the riders and provide a facility that there isn't anywhere else in Teesside where people can come to ride and cycle with."

You can find out more or get in touch with the club on their website or Facebook page.

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