Healthy Lifestyles: using cycling in occupational therapy benefits

Healthy Lifestyles: using cycling in occupational therapy Healthy Lifestyles: using cycling in occupational therapy

Copyright: Wheels for Wellbeing
Why cycling? Why cycling?

Copyright: Ed Miller
Why consider cycling in OT?

Social benefits
For its:
• social benefits
• Cycling is for everyone, whether in a park or
• impact on mental wellbeing
on a road
• physical health benefits
• People can make new friends
• environmental benefits, and
• Getting around independently opens up a
• extra benefits for disabled people and people world of possibilities
undergoing rehabilitation • It’s cheap.
• sustainability

© Charity number 1120905. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No 06288610. © Charity number 1120905. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No 06288610.



Physical health
Mental wellbeing
• exercise is known to reduce the risk of major chronic disease such as
• Physical activity is associated with subjective wellbeing and coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers
enhanced levels of self esteem • regular cyclists typically enjoy a fitness level equivalent to someone 10 years
younger; those cycling beyond their mid-30s could add a further 2 years to
• Physical activity has been shown to reduce anxiety their life expectancy
• Learning a new skill increases self esteem and confidence • one UK study found that people who took up cycling gained the greatest
benefits at the outset, but fitness continued to improve as they increased their
cycle use. Reduced body fat was also noted, particularly among those who
were overweight or obese at the start.


Copyright: Lambeth C yclists


Extra benefits for disabled people
Environmental benefits and people undergoing rehabilitation
• stroke
• cerebral palsy
• Reduces congestion; 80% of journeys are <= 5 miles = 30 minutes by • spinal injury or balance difficulties
cycle • people who don’t like to be surrounded by others eg who have facial disfigurement or panic
attacks.
• Reduces emissions of greenhouse and other pollutants, so increasing • people with Tourrette’s
• encourages peristalsis so mitigating constipatory side effects of some medications
air quality and slowing down global warming • COPD
• Reduces dangers on the roads • overweight/ obese people
• people with learning difficulties
• Reduces demand for public transport • people with autism
• ……..

To gain control, independence and freedom


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Healthy Lifestyles: using cycling in occupational therapy

Why cycling?

Other reasons for considering
cycling
•Once people have felt the benefits, they can continue:
• they can cycle when they want, if they have their own cycle
and storage
• the “equipment“ is readily available from high street shops
• employed people will be able to use the Cycle to Work
scheme; others may be eligible for grants.

• People who continue to cycle are less likely to use the NHS

• There are many resources outside the health sector to help
people cycle

© Charity number 1120905. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No 06288610.

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What is possible? What is possible?


Trikes

A review of existing cycles

and scheme models

Copyright: South London Press
• 2, 3 and 4 wheeled cycles
• 2, 3 and 3 wheeled cycle schemes
• 2 wheeled cycle schemes
• Components of cycle schemes



Copyright: d fphotography.co .uk

Handcycles

A side by side tandem


Copyright: Jim bush




Recumbents

Some quad cycles

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2,3,4-wheeled cycle schemes
The company cycle
- social inclusion in action Eco-local’s Inclusive
Cycling, Sutton
London Recumbents,
Dulwich Park, Wheels for Wellbeing Bikes in
Southwark the Park, Lambeth
London Recumbents,
Pedalpower, Finsbury Park, Battersea Park,
Islington Wandsworth
Copyright: d fphotography.co .uk

Haringey Mencap
Bikeworks All Ability Club,
Wheels for Wellbeing Tower Hamlets
Cycling for All, Croydon
Companion Cycling,
Bushy Park, Richmond ……etc…………….



2,3,4-wheeled cycle schemes
• run in an enclosed space eg athletics track or park
2 wheeled cycle schemes
• staff provide initial assessment and guidance on using cycle and helmets; if
enough staff some 1-1 training possible “Cycling for health“,“adult 1-1 training“
• most people come with a supporter/ family/ group; some to try out before buying Wheels for Wellbeing “Cycling for Health“
Croydon
• people may cycle around track or park, or go on an organised ride around park
Lewisham Council Cycling Projects “Health on
•run all year round? Subsidised adult 1-1 cycle training in Wheels“ initiatives, many
most London boroughs with a range north west based PCTs
•refreshments makes making friends easier
of suppliers Cycle Experience
• can be used for other groups at other times eg over 50s, lessons for children from Cycle Training UK
special schools, carers groups
Life Cycle
• most are free or heavily subsidised Cyclinginstructor.com
Bikeworks “Cycling for Health“,
• may be managed by volunteers or paid staff with paid/ volunteer qualified cycle Pedal4Health, Wandsworth Tower Hamlets
instructors and mechanic. Ideally partnership of statutory and 3rd sector orgns.



2 wheeled cycle schemes 2 wheeled cycle schemes
Adult 1-1 cycle training “Cycling for health“
• already offered in most London boroughs and by some other local •Participants may be referred through the local Active Lifestyles
authorities programme
• heavily subsidised, 1-1 tuition •participants are returning or novice cyclists
• teach to National Standards (old Cycling Proficiency) • novice cyclists will often need 1-1 tuition at start
• Level 1: has basic control skills (eg stopping, starting, signalling) in a • cycles are available for people to use or people may use their own
traffic free environment
• use an off road environment especially to start, ideally need some
• Level 2: can ride safely on quiet roads progression to give people confidence to ride on the road
• Level 3: can ride on busy roads and use complex junctions and road • usually paid for by statutory sector, perhaps part of a Healthy
features Lifestyles programme


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Components of cycle schemes Components of cycle schemes
The offer
• 1-1 cycle training to learn to ride or improve Resources
confidence / skills for off road and on road • pool cycles - 2, 3 and 4 wheels?
cycling • storage – in / close to off road location eg park
• organised rides so people build up confidence • a mechanic
to ride alone and/ or on the road; check have • cycle instructors – at least provisionally qualified
achieved certain cycle standard before go on to teach National Standards
road as a group • co-ordination
• away from the road sessions eg bike • when to operate? During week days 9-5 means
maintenance, map reading, road safety only unemployed/ retired people can attend.

• free cycle maps and other goodies eg lights,
hi-viz
• Access to cheap or free cycles (from re-cycle
schemes?)
© •building in sustainability
Charity number 1120905. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No 06288610. © Charity number 1120905. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No 06288610.

Healthy Lifestyles: using cycling in occupational therapy

What is possible?

What’s possible?

• What cycles exist?
• What types of scheme operate?
• What are the key components of any
cycle scheme?

© Charity number 1120905. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No 06288610.

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Getting started Getting started

What’s happening locally?
Getting started
Talk to your
• What do you want to do? • PCT and any Active Lifestyles team.
• Find out what’s happening locally • local council. The Transport department should have a
cycle officer.
• Cycle training • local cycle campaign group. Most London boroughs
• Issues for new schemes: have local groups of the London Cycling Campaign. The
Cycling Tourist’s Club have local groups. Many cities
• Cycles and equipment
have independent campaign groups.
• Location • local “Cycling for All“ or similar project.
• Money and insurance • local recycle scheme/ police for old cycles
• Staffing • local CTC Community Champion
• Cycling Demonstration Town team (if you work in one)
• Sustainability

Issues for new schemes: cycles
Cycle training Pool bikes
– 2 wheelers. Think about things like a variety of frame
sizes and shapes, footstands, quick release on the
Copyright: L Shapioro

Have a cycle lesson. saddles.
– 3 and 4 wheelers:
• find a list of manufacturers;
Think about becoming
• visit websites and other projects
qualified as an instructor or
• talk to Wheels for All about their start up support.
assistant instructor or ride
leader - part of CPD?
Bikes people can buy cheaply or with help
• recycle or other bike maintenance scheme?
• vouchers for people on low incomes?
• For people with mobility difficulties, there is a VAT
exemption



Other cycle kit Issues for new schemes: location
• space for storage
Are people cycling on or off the road?
• security
Which of the following will they
need? • close access to disabled toilets
• convenient parking, especially for people
• Helmets
who are arriving by minibus or who are Blue
• Locks
Badge holders
• Hi-viz vests • make sure that Disabled Bays are enforced
• Shower proof jackets in parks
• For people with additional needs: • a large flat area for cycling. Athletics tracks
– “Active hands“? can be ideal, as are secluded areas in parks
– Calipers? which offer more scope for varied routes
– Trunk or other support? • access to electricity so tea and coffee can be
– Straps for the waist or to attach made, especially useful in the colder months.
people’s feet to pedals? • a link to a cycle route, ideally off road

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Issues for new schemes: Issues for new schemes: staffing
funding, insurance & evaluation
– If you decide to contract with a local cycle
– Fundraising takes time. An application may not be successful training provider,
or you may be awarded less than you asked for. • do a mystery customer check
– Lots of places where you can find out about possible funding
sources. • check the qualifications of their staff and the
§ Work in partnership with others to maximise funding training and mentoring they receive
opportunities
§ Get the local commissioners on your side. • Check their experience of working with
§ Are there any charitable trusts associated with your people with additional needs
organisation?
– Need to partner up with a non-statutory body which can • Check what access they have to appropriate
access other sources eg. charities, community interest cycles
companies, community groups?
– Insurance - if you run a scheme, will your insurer cover
it – If you choose to run your own scheme, who will
– Evaluate – how can you prove you have spent the manage it and how will they be paid for?
money well?




Issues for new schemes: sustainability

• Maps and routes Ready to go?
– Local council cycle maps • Find out what’s happening locally
– Transport for London cycle maps
– National Cycle Network maps • Cycle training
– Online journey planners
• Issues for new schemes:
• Organised rides
– Check local cycle groups (campaign groups, CTC). Often • Cycles and equipment
provided online only but some send out a written list once a
quarter. • Location
– Get cyclists to start a new one • Money
• Bike maintenance classes and workshops
– Are they provided locally? • Staffing
• Fact sheet for new cyclists • Sustainability


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Healthy Lifestyles: using cycling in occupational therapy benefits

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