Cycling should be easily accessible to all – that was the main aim of an adaptive cycling open day organised by north Wales-based social enterprise Antur Waunfawr, alongside the Outdoor Partnership, Disability Sport Wales, Gwynedd Council and Derwen – the Integrated Team for Disabled Children.

Held at ‘Redline Indoor Karting’ in Caernarfon, the session was an opportunity for adults and children with learning or physical disabilities to ride a range of adaptive bicycles around Redline’s purpose-built karting track. It was also a chance to find out more about the adaptive cycling opportunities in the area, and to recruit volunteers for the project.

Antur Waunfawr provided a range of adaptive bicycles from their Beics Menai bike shop, including side by sides, tandem trikes, and electric and non-electric trikes for children and adults. The Gwynedd Accessible Cycling Hub also had a range of adaptive bikes at the event, including a wheelchair carrier bike and a selection of children’s bikes.

Pupils from special needs schools Ysgol Hafod Lon and Ysgol Pendalar were invited to try out the bikes, as well as adult service users who receive support from Anheddau Cyf. Also on hand to offer coaching and advice on the day was Tim Matthews, Young Rider Development Officer at Welsh Cycling.

The open-day was funded by Antur Waunfawr’s ‘Sgiliau Antur’ (Antur Skills) project, following an Intermediate Care Fund – Learning Disabilities & Complex Needs grant from the Welsh Government, in partnership with the North Wales

Social Care & Wellbeing Services Improvement Collaborative and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Huw Davies, deputy chief executive at Antur Waunfawr, said: “The aim of the ‘Sgiliau Antur’ project is to promote health and well-being and to recruit volunteers. Cycling and health and fitness is an important aspect of the project, and we are very grateful to the staff at Redline Karting for giving us the opportunity to use the adaptive bicycles on their indoor

karting track.

“The open day was a huge success and we’d like to thank the Outdoor Partnership and Derwen for their help in organising this event. By working together to promote the adaptive cycling project, we can inspire and enable disabled people in Gwynedd to enjoy accessible cycling.”