Information on cycling and disability for those working in occupational therapy

1. Healthy Lifestyles: using cycling in occupational therapy
Healthy Lifestyles: using cycling in occupational therapy
National organisations
Cycling England
Cycling England is an independent, expert body, working to get more people cycling, more
safely, more often. Established in 2005 by the Department for Transport, we promote the
growth of cycling in England by championing best practice and channeling funding to partners
engaged in training, engineering and marketing projects.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/cyclingengland/
CTC
As the UK’s National Cyclists’ Organisation, CTC has been protecting and promoting the
rights of cyclists since 1878. CTC is a not-for-profit organisation that is funded through its
membership and donations in return for support.
http://www.ctc.org.uk
Cyclenation
Check for your local campaign group
http://www.cyclenation.org.uk/index.php
Sustrans
Especially good for routes and maps of the National Cycle Network but they do much
more.
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/
Check this for other groups local to your area
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/resources/useful-links
British Cycling
Traditionally the organisation in charge of winning us Olympic and Paralympic
medals, it is now starting to get involved with leisure cycling. It also has a children’s
focus, with its “Go Ride” scheme.
http://new.britishcycling.org.uk/skyride/local
Spokes
SPOKES is an informal network for NHS staff who cycle to work or use a bicycle for
work purposes.
http://www.spokes.nhs.uk/
©
Charity number 1120905. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No 06288610.

2. Healthy Lifestyles: using cycling in occupational therapy
Why consider cycling in OT?
Health benefits of cycling
http://www.dft.gov.uk/cyclingengland/site/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/health-report-
exec-summary1.pdf
http://www.dft.gov.uk/cyclingengland/site/wp-
content/uploads/2009/01/cycling_and_health_full_report.pdf
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/active-travel/139/the-evidence/physical-
activity-and-health (a page of links to articles related to cycling and walking in
published journals)
Not well documented/ researched:
A review of the literature: the mental health benefits of walking and bicycling (June
2008)
http://www.ibpi.usp.pdx.edu/media/Mental%20Health%20Benefits%20White%20Pape
r.pdf
Depression in Adults update, National Clinical Practice Guideline 90, NICE (Oct 2009)
http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/Depression_Update_FULL_GUIDELINE.pdf
Mental Health Foundation
http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/exercise/
©
Charity number 1120905. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No 06288610.

3. Healthy Lifestyles: using cycling in occupational therapy
A review of existing cycles and scheme models
Photos of a range of 3 and 4 wheeled cycles
http://www.wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/index.php/our_cycles/
Bikeability and the national standards
http://www.dft.gov.uk/ctsb/nationalstandards/
Instructor training
Find which organisations provide Bikeability accredited schemes
http://bikeability.org.uk/what_is_bikeability__/bikeability_near_you.php
To find a National Standards qualified individual instructor the Bikeability link above
will give you some leads. Otherwise email contactus@bikeability.org.uk for
information.
For instructor training providers
http://bikeability.org.uk/downloads/List_Of_Accredited_Training_Providers.pdf
Other cycle training information inc access to bursaries
http://bikeability.org.uk/professionals/
Do you work in a Cycling Demonstration Town or City?
http://www.dft.gov.uk/cyclingengland/cycling-cities-towns/
Wheels for Wellbeing
Information provided to potential participants at “Cycling for All” sessions
http://www.wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/index.php/bikes_in_the_park/
©
Charity number 1120905. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No 06288610.

4. Healthy Lifestyles: using cycling in occupational therapy
Getting started
Health on Wheels,
http://www.nwph.net/phys/Publications/Health%20on%20Wheels%20Guide.pdf
Wheels for Wellbeing
Can advise on, develop and/ or operate new schemes for you
www.wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk
Getting started, as an individual, on a 2 wheeler
Choosing a bike
http://www.ctc.org.uk/desktopdefault.aspx?tabid=3788
Go cycling: introduction to cycling
http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3328
http://lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=409
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/11645.aspx
Information on the efficacy and safety of cycle helmets
http://www.cyclehelmets.org/
Cycle security: London based, but useful information for all
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/11688.aspx
Issues for new schemes: cycles
Cycle manufacturers and more
“Special needs cycling guide” with many useful links from established magazine
http://www.velovision.co.uk/cgi-bin/show_comments.pl?storynum=559
See also separate manufacturers list.
Pool cycles: things to think about
§ A quick release bolt for the saddle, making it easy to adjust saddle height.
§ A rack on the back so small bags can be carried.
§ Mudguards should be attached in at least 2 places (the Raleighs that Croydon
Council own have only one fixing to hold the mudguards on which has caused
us quite a problem)
§ A bell, so cyclists can alert people in front of them that they are coming
§ A footstand, so there’s no need to find a wall to lean the bike against.
§ If people want to stop then they may want to lock their cycle up. Provided
people are in a group then there may be less need for a lock if it’s just a loo
stop, but for a coffee stop locks will be advisable.
©
Charity number 1120905. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No 06288610.

5. Healthy Lifestyles: using cycling in occupational therapy
§ Some obvious marking to increase the chance of retrieving a bike should it be
stolen.
§ Gears, but there’s not much need for 21+ gears. You can probably get away
with 5, unless you expect people to be riding up steep hills. However, in the
longer term, the aim for most people will be to buy their own cycle and they
may well get one with gears on the front and rear buying cycles with front and
rear gears means they can practice. 10 gears (2 rings on the front, 5 on the
back) will probably be okay but more does not matter. Make sure the gears are
low enough so the cycle is easy to ride for someone who’s not used to cycling
and probably not very fit. Less gears also means less to go wrong.
Issues for new schemes: money
A guide on securing investment for physical activity, from setting up the organisation
to finding the data to prove your project is needed to monitoring and evaluation:
http://www.pro-
activecentrallondon.org/page.asp?section=00010001000600030002&sectionTitle=Inv
esting+in+Sport+%26+Physical+Activity
CTC guide to fundraising
http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4974
Issues for new schemes: sustainability
Maps, routes, online journey planners
National Cycle Network and other local maps
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/resources/publications/free-cycle-maps
Check your local council for its cycle maps.
Free maps for London
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/11607.aspx
Journey planner for some cities in the UK
http://www.transportdirect.info/Web2/JourneyPlanning/FindCycleInput.aspx
Journey planner for people when in London
http://journeyplanner.tfl.gov.uk/
©
Charity number 1120905. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No 06288610.