How adapted bikes are transforming daily life in an Aberdeen community
At Newton Dee Camphill Community in Aberdeen, villagers (adults with additional support needs) and live-in volunteers share homes, work and daily life in a supportive environment. Thanks to the Cycle Access Fund, the community has discovered how cycling can bring new freedom, fitness and fun to everyone involved.
Newton Dee used funding from the Shared Use strand to buy three non-standard cycles, creating a small library that villagers and volunteers can share. The goal was to boost mobility, build strength and make everyday journeys more sustainable – and the results have been transformative.
“Having a fleet of bikes means we can take residents to appointments or the post office without always relying on cars. It also creates a culture that’s more inclined towards cycling and sustainability,” explains Jas, one of the project leads.
The bikes quickly became a source of confidence and joy. Katy summed it up simply: “I was emotionally down earlier. Now I am much happier – the cycling is so much fun.”
For others, the cycles opened up possibilities they’d never imagined:
- David found that an electric-assist trike made it possible to ride up steep hills, even carrying three people.
- Matthieu fell in love with a bright red tandem trike, drawing pictures of it and proudly pedalling a few metres by himself.
- Elizabeth, who sometimes struggles with bike fit, loved being able to adjust the seats and set her own pace.
Newton Dee sits right beside the Deeside Way, a beautiful traffic-free route along an old railway line into Aberdeen. But until recently, the entrance wasn’t suitable for non-standard cycles.
After Newton Dee raised the issue at a Cycling UK networking event, access improvements were made – and the community could use the path with their new bikes.
Villagers now cycle safely from their homes straight onto the Deeside Way. Steph cycles to her workshop; Pawel enjoys group rides (while keeping an eye on Steph speeding ahead!); and Charles waves happily to passers-by from the front seat of a trike.
Scroll the gallery below to see the difference: once blocked to non-standard cycles, the route is now open and accessible for everyone at Newton Dee.
Alongside the new cycles, Newton Dee also received funding through the Repair strand. Old, unused bikes have been brought back to life, and villagers have had the chance to learn repair skills from mechanics like Tillmann.
- Douglas was thrilled to ride his bike again: “It is like new. It’s so much quicker than walking.”
- A local parent said: “My teenage son’s bike is working again and he’s out on it almost every day with his friends. So much better than sitting in front of a screen.”
- Sebastian picked up tyre-changing tips that will help on his next bikepacking trip.
- Nick was inspired to suggest creating a whole “school of learning” about bikes so more people could benefit.
Repairing bikes hasn’t just saved money and reduced waste – it’s sparked pride and enthusiasm across the community.
In just a few months, Newton Dee’s cycling project has gathered real momentum. Villagers who had never cycled before are now riding regularly. Passers-by stop to ask about the non-standard bikes, curious to see how they might help people they know.
As Jas put it:
It has created enthusiasm – villagers have started riding again, some I had never seen on bikes before. The public response has also been great. For some people, it’s eye-opening just to see that such bikes exist
For Tillmann, sharing his love of bikes has been especially rewarding:
Sometimes it only needs a clean, some grease and a spare part to bring a bike back to life. Being able to help people ride again, while encouraging healthy, sustainable living, really aligns with our values as a community
What began as a small fleet of shared cycles has become much more: a way for people at Newton Dee to feel happier, healthier and more connected. With improved access to local paths and the ability to repair and maintain bikes, the community is riding into the future with confidence and pride.
Or as Mark, one of the villagers, put it while carefully cleaning a bike:
New bikes! We need to look after them, keep them clean. Amen!
