G-Whizz Inclusive Tandem Cycles
A blog post by Susan from the H.A.Y. team about how G-Whizz Inclusive Tandem Cycles and how they help people of all abilities get out and about.
The huge smile on Hana’s face when she gets back from her bicycle ride says it all. Her mum asks anyway, “Did you enjoy that?” Hana nods enthusiastically.
Hana is a young woman with multiple disabilities, which means that she can’t cycle on her own and has other physical limitations. Despite this, she is adventurous and likes to be active, which is important for maintaining her mobility. She has just been on a tandem cycle ride with Graham Davies of G-Whizz Inclusive Tandem Cycles.
“Did you like the feel of the wind in your hair?” asks her GP of many years, Dr. Rhiannon Nally. Hana watches her intently and then nods again with another big smile. Hana cannot process audio speech easily and her communication relies on lip reading, British Sign Language (BSL) and facial expression. That could have been a problem with this cycling trial, but with the understanding between Graham and Hana quickly developing on a personal level, ways for how deal with it are found.
While Graham holds the cycle steady, Hana unbuckles her harness, and with a bit of help from Rhiannon showing her what to do, loosens the safety straps over her feet and gets off the semi-recumbent front seat of the cycle.
G-Whizz founder Graham and his group of ‘pilots’ (tandem riders who control the cycles) give free rides to people with various disabilities; usually those who used to cycle but no longer can, often because of sight loss. Tandem cycle rides with an experienced pilot means that people can participate in pedalling to their ability without having to steer or otherwise control the cycle. G-Whizz would like more people to benefit from these rides in the countryside. You can see how taking part really boosts people’s wellbeing when you see Hana’s smile!
There are limitations, of course: the ‘stoker’ (participant who doesn’t control the cycle) needs to be able to get on and off by themselves, have some balance, and not be too heavy for safe control of the cycle by the pilot. Graham is testing Hana’s ability to get on and off and stay on the cycle and working with her parents and GP to understand her limitations and how to work with them. Because he can’t see her face or hear her during a ride, and she can’t see or hear him, they decide that a tap on the shoulder could signal ‘stop pedalling’. “What kind of signal can Hana give me to let me know if she’s enjoying the ride or not?” They go with a thumbs up or thumbs down. Graham will send a brief list of a few more key things that need to be communicated during rides so Hana and her parents can work out signals for those.
Hana and Graham are keen to go for another ride, a bit further to a countryside café. Her parents drive there to meet them. At the café, Hana gets on and off, handling the buckles and straps without any difficulties.
G-Whizz is a great mood-booster and Hana is very happy to go again soon!
If this sounds like something that you or someone you know might be interested in, and you can get to Sawtry where the cycles are, find out more on G-Whizz Inclusive Tandem Bike Rides – How Are You Peterborough? and get in touch with Graham.
If you want to try out adapted cycling, either on your own or with a friend, You Can Bike Too at Milton Country Park has a range of tandem and solo cycles for a low hire fee.
Here’s a short video of Hana trying out the recumbent tandem with Graham as the pilot:
