Posted: 2 March, 2021
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street, who chairs the WMCA, said: “The health and environmental benefits of cycling and active travel are clear for all of us and we are doing all we can to get more people out and about on two or three wheels and two feet.
“That is why we are delighted to support the On Your Loan scheme to make it easier for disabled people to enjoy the benefits of cycling.
“Alongside this we are also investing in safer cycle routes and paths through our Starley Network to ensure people keep cycling long after lockdown ends.” Ian Tierney, who is the Charity Director at Cycling Projects, said: “This is a very exciting project that will focus on enabling people of all abilities to be active, especially through the challenging times of the pandemic, whereby we know disabled people are more likely to be more isolated and less connected than ever before.
“Out on Your Loan will give people the skills, knowledge and confidence to eventually complete independent cycle journeys and weave cycling into their lifestyles for the long term. We are really proud to be involved with the largest adapted cycle loan scheme in the country.”
Include Me WM is a regional approach that aims to make the West Midlands an exemplar region for engaging disabled people and people with long term health conditions to be physically active.
Mark Fosbrook, who is the Include Me West Midlands Manager, said: This is such an amazing opportunity. It not only helps disabled people become more active and independent by giving an opportunity to explore the fantastic cycling networks across the West Midlands. It also helps the WMCA learn about what works or where improvements need to be made.
“Include Me is working towards the West Midlands being the best region at engaging disabled people and this is a part of that fantastic social movement of change. “ Encouraging more people to get the cycling habit and swap cars for bikes on shorter journeys around our towns and cities can also play a part achieving the #WM2041 target of becoming net zero carbon region over the next 20 years.
If you would like to know more about this exciting project, and how you can get involved as a partner organisation, potential participant or volunteer then please follow the link for the application form
https://cycling.org.uk/out-on-your-loan
or contact below-
Project co-ordination Chris Watts chris.watts@cycling.org.uk 07971476520
Email – ian.tierney@cycling.org.uk - 07709140910
