'A rolling walking stick': why do so many disabled people cycle in Cambridge?
Cycling may be easier than walking for two-thirds of disabled people, but disabled cyclists often remain invisible to society. Many don’t realise that more than a quarter of disabled commutes in this university city are made by bike
Cycle around Cambridge and you’ll see upright city bikes and hybrids, tricycles and four-wheeled cargo bikes. What may be surprising is that many of these machines are used as mobility aids: more than a quarter of disabled people’s commutes here are by bike.
“Getting around Cambridge on a trike is fantastic for me,” says Joanna Crosby, who has scoliosis, which affects her balance. “I can put all my shopping in the back of it and just go. Although I have tried a two-wheeler, I really never got the hang of it. I saw this lovely Pashley tricycle and saw it was the way to go.”
There’s not some inherent limitation [for disabled cyclists]. It depends how cycling-friendly the places are in general
Cycling facilities are built on the assumption we can all stand up. How else can we get over the steps on that bridge?
Related: Cycling downhill: has Copenhagen hit peak bike?
Source: Guardian Transport
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