A new inclusive cycling programme was officially launched in Tredegar Park yesterday by Leader of Newport City Council, Cllr Jane Mudd, and Cllr Deb Harvey, cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism. The councillors were joined by pupils from Maes Ebbw school who had the chance to be the first people to enjoy riding the bikes around the route at the park.
The programme, Wheels for All, is being run by Newport Live in partnership with Newport City Council. It is part of a nationally recognised initiative from the UK cycling charity, Cycling Projects, that embraces children and adults with disabilities and differing needs to engage in a quality cycling activity.
There are a wide range of bikes available for use during the sessions including a wheelchair transporter, single and double handcycles, a recumbent style tricycle, roam twin rider, adult and junior tricycles, rear-steer tandem cycles and hybrid bikes.
Bikes will need to be booked in advance via the Newport Live website, app or by calling 01633 656757 and usage is free for Newport residents.
Wheels for All trained cycle leaders will be on hand during sessions to support riders making their way around the route at Tredegar Park. The programme will allow a wider range of people the opportunity to enjoy the many benefits of cycling.
The programme will also benefit from the installation of a new active travel path in the park, which the council has recently completed. The wider path will make it easier for cyclists and walkers to share the space in the park.
Cllr Deb Harvey, cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism at Newport City Council, said: “We are delighted to have launched Newport Wheels for All alongside our partners Newport Live and Cycling Projects.
“We are a council that is committed to increasing access to leisure within the city. This programme, along with our work on the new active travel path, makes Tredegar Park an attractive option for cyclists of all abilities.
“All of our residents should be able to benefit from active travel and leisure access. I’m pleased that we are able to increase that access through this inclusive programme.”
John Harrhy, Chair for Newport Live said “We’re so pleased to be working with Newport City Council on this fantastic project. Newport Wheels for All will allow more of the residents of Newport to get physically active and enjoy inclusive cycling whilst also having fun. Our thanks to Cycling Projects for their support and guidance in introducing this programme to Tredegar Park”.
Ian Tierney, Cycling Projects CEO said “The partnership of Newport Live, Cycling Projects and Newport City Council has been on an exciting journey together to create an inclusive cycling offer for the communities of Newport. It’s been a pleasure to be involved in this exciting initiative that will give people of all abilities the chance to cycle and be active on their terms. We wish Newport Wheels for All every success and look to forward to continue our working partnerships for many years to come.”
For more details visit www.newportlive.co.uk/wheelsforall
