Posted: 26 June, 2026
As we celebrate 35 years of Wheels for All, we’re shining a spotlight on some of the incredible people who have helped shape our story. Among them are Timi and his mum, Esther, who have been part of the Wheels for All family since 2012.
Their journey began at our Epsom Hub, which had recently launched and quickly became a well-known part of the local community.
“When Wheels for All first opened in Epsom, everybody seemed to know about it,” Esther recalls. “The team had done so much work promoting it through schools and care facilities. I’d never seen anything like inclusive cycling before, and it was incredibly popular. We even had a visit from the Mayor.”
At the time, Timi had never ridden a bike. “He wouldn’t have known what to do with one,” Esther laughs.
Like many participants, Timi’s cycling journey started with small but important steps. He began riding on a tandem cycle alongside the Inclusive Cycling Coordinator or a volunteer, allowing him to experience the sensation of pedalling in a safe and supportive environment.
As his confidence grew, Timi progressed onto a trike. Esther remembers those early days fondly.
“When he first started on the trike, he would try to pedal backwards. Rather than telling him off, the team just let him explore and get used to how the bike worked. They understood that learning looked different for everyone.”
For Timi, cycling offered much more than simply learning a new skill. Born with a heart condition that required surgery as a baby, exercise had often been challenging while growing up because his body struggled to regulate its heartbeat. Cycling offered a way to change that.
“It gave him a way to exercise without overexerting himself because he could go at his own pace,” says Esther. “Over time, it helped him become more confident and encouraged him to set goals for himself, both during sessions and in everyday life. It also helped him think more about living a healthy lifestyle.”
One of the most significant milestones for Timi was his return to mainstream education after being home-schooled. Esther believes the social opportunities provided through Wheels for All played a vital role in making that possible.
“Being around other children and learning social skills through the sessions helped him enormously. It gave him confidence and experience that he could take into other areas of his life.”
While Wheels for All has had a profound impact on Timi, Esther is quick to point out that it has changed her life too.
Through attending sessions, she has built lasting friendships with other parents and carers who understand the unique experiences of raising children with additional needs.
“The people I’ve met through Wheels for All are like an extension of my family. Having that community around you is invaluable.”
Today, although Timi is now an adult, cycling remains an important part of his life. He continues to attend regular medical appointments for his heart condition, and Esther says his doctors still ask about his cycling and actively encourage him to keep it up as a form of exercise.
Looking back over the last 14 years, Esther finds it difficult to imagine life without Wheels for All.
“I can’t underestimate the impact it’s had on our family and on so many others. It’s been such an important part of our lives.”
As Wheels for All celebrates its 35th anniversary, stories like Timi and Esther’s remind us why inclusive cycling matters. It’s about much more than riding a bike; it’s about building confidence, improving health, creating friendships and opening doors to new opportunities.
Esther sums it up perfectly:
“Long may Wheels for All continue.”
