Posted: 25 February, 2026
At Birkenhead Park, we meet people at all stages of their cycling journey and Helen’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to start.
Helen is 70 years old and like many of us, she rode a bike as a child but hadn’t ridden confidently for a while. When her daughter outgrew her bike, Helen decided to keep it and give cycling another try. But a combination of nerves and not knowing where to start proved to be a barrier in her journey.
Helen told us she was terrified from being worried she might ride into someone, veer into a ditch, or simply fall off, she experienced some very common worries that participants face when coming back to cycling. She would pedal a little, then stop and eventually, she gave up.
Alongside these fear, Helen lives with arthritis in her hips and knees, as well as sciatica. At times, the pain can be severe and limit her mobility. But earlier this year, she reached a turning point.
“I thought, if I don’t try to ride a bike now at 70, I never will.”
After searching online for cycling lessons, Helen found Wheels for All and booked her first session at Birkenhead Park. She arrived feeling extremely nervous - so nervous, in fact, that she couldn’t get on the two-wheeled bike we initially offered her.
So, we started where she felt comfortable: on a trike!
Helen was surprised by how she felt. Rather than embarrassment, she found encouragement. Our volunteers and participants supported her, telling her to take her time and go at her own pace.
At her next session, Helen brought her own bike. Together, the team and Helen realised it was too small for her, which may have contributed to her anxiety. She made the decision to invest in a bike that properly suited her and that’s when things really began to change.
With the support of our volunteers Keith and Liam, who helped to set her bike up and then quite literally ran alongside her to build her confidence, Helen started to believe she could do it. Now, with Wendy, another of our fantastic volunteers, cycling alongside her, she’s gained the confidence to ride past people without panicking or stopping.
Today, Helen rides independently around Birkenhead Park. She even cycles down a lane near her home on her own, something that once felt impossible. And when the weather improves, she’s planning to venture along the Wirral Way.
“It’s exhilarating knowing I can ride a bike myself now.”
Ben Whittingham, Regional Manager for Liverpool City Region, Cheshire and North Wales at Wheels for All, said:
“Helen’s journey is exactly why we do what we do. Inclusive cycling isn’t just about riding a bike, it’s about building confidence and showing that age or health conditions should never be a barrier to trying something new. We’re incredibly proud of Helen and the determination she’s shown.”
We’re so proud to be part of Helen’s story and we can’t wait to see where her bike takes her next!
