Meet Eleanor and Phoebe

Recently, we were moved by a story shared on social media by Alison, mum to Eleanor and Phoebe, following their visit to the LinkAble Inclusive Games in August. Our Wheels for All South team were proud to be part of the event, delivering inclusive cycling sessions for attendees. It was here that we had the pleasure of meeting Alison and her daughters and showing them firsthand the possibilities that inclusive cycling can bring.
Eleanor, aged 12, and her nine-year-old sister Phoebe both enjoy being active and spending time outdoors. Eleanor lives with learning disabilities and autism, which means she sometimes needs additional support to take part in physical activities, but she loves movement and being on the go just as much as her sister, who enjoys cycling, swimming, dance and gymnastics.
Until last week, the two had never been able to share the joy of cycling together but that changed when the family attended the Inclusive Games in Woking, Surrey, organised by LinkAble, a charity supporting children and adults with learning disabilities. During the event, participants had the chance to try a range of adapted cycles provided by Wheels for All.
Among them was a side-by-side cycle that allowed Eleanor and Phoebe to ride together — safely, comfortably, and as equals. Phoebe took the lead on steering and braking, while the cycle’s design allowed Eleanor to pedal alongside her sister.
Alison described watching them take to the track as a deeply emotional moment:
“Eleanor has never been able to ride a standard bike; she wouldn’t understand the concept or be able to balance safely. Seeing both my daughters cycling together, sharing that experience for the first time, was incredibly powerful.”
Alison also told us that for Eleanor, being outside is one of her great joys. She loves the movement of wind and rain as well as the sensory experience of activities like swimming, bouncing and swinging. The adapted cycle brought all of that together in one inclusive activity and in a way that she could share with her sister.
Phoebe also found the experience unforgettable:
“If someone has a sibling that isn’t disabled, they can just go cycling together whenever they want,” she said. “But with Eleanor it’s hard to find a bike that’s suitable for her, so I’ve never been cycling with her before. I really enjoyed it. I never knew there were so many kinds of bikes!”
For the family, the moment was a reminder of how important inclusive opportunities like these are, not just for disabled children, but for their siblings, parents and carers too.
Alison added: “Charities like Wheels for All and LinkAble rely on fundraising, volunteers and corporate support to make experiences like this possible. These opportunities are lifelines that help families like ours access the kind of moments that most people take for granted. I’m so glad to have found something that both of my daughters can enjoy as an activity together”
At Wheels for All, stories like this are at the heart of what we do. Every adapted cycle, every inclusive cycling session, and every partnership helps break down barriers so that everyone, regardless of ability, can enjoy the freedom and sense of togetherness that cycling brings.