New report reveals barriers for disabled people who want to cycle for everyday transport

The report, published by Cycling UK and funded by the Motability Foundation, brought together interviews, literature reviews, focus groups, academic studies and previous reports from other cycling groups to lay out how disabled communities’ needs can be better met.

Findings revealed that disabled people are just as keen as anyone else to cycle for everyday journeys - but face barriers ranging from the lack of adapted cycles and safe routes to fundamental issues like where to store their cycles. Sustrans and Arup found in 2020 that two-thirds (62%) of disabled people stated outright that they would like to use a cycle share or loan scheme, while in 2023 Transport for All found almost half (41%) feel like they aren’t able to because current infrastructure makes it impossible.

Cycling UK’s impact report, collected a year and a half into the Inclusive Cycling Experience project, unpacks how the initiative has supported disabled people in Manchester and Inverness. Since April 2024, the project has offered free try-out sessions and non-standard cycle loans to introduce cycling as an accessible and sustainable travel option for everyday journeys. The initiative has loaned 284 bikes and trained 1,665 people.

A range of cycles, including adapted e-bikes, tandems, and trikes, are provided by the charity free of charge, ensuring that individuals can find the right fit for their needs. The sessions are led by expert instructors who assess participants’ needs and requirements, guiding them to the most suitable cycle and helping them build the confidence to ride. 

Participants are guided through developing their cycling skills, have access to expert advice, and enjoy interactive activities designed to boost their confidence. With no tests or assessments involved, the focus is on providing participants with the skills and support needed to cycle safely for everyday journeys with confidence and ease. Currently, most inclusive cycling provision in the UK is limited to leisure sessions, often in parks or traffic free areas to build confidence but stops short of supporting people to take the next step using cycling for transport. As one participant put it, “when people want to go wider than the park, that is when the barriers kick in”.

Although cycling is widely promoted as a cheap, healthy and sustainable way to travel, and there is strong demand with disabled groups, numbers remain low. Many participants shared they would use cycle loans or share schemes if they were more widely available. One participant described how borrowing a cycle through Cycling UK’s Inclusive Cycling Experience programme, “gave me back my independence”, while another said, “I thought it was the end of my cycling and it's not. It's opened up new opportunities for me.”

The report also highlights how disabled people need more than just infrastructure. Skills training, tailored confidence building sessions, buddy rides, route planning support and practical solutions like cycle lanes and storage are all vital in helping people move from leisure cycling to everyday journeys. When offered the right support, disabled people cycle more, cover longer distances and feel more connected to their communities, if the system is willing to change. 

Greater Manchester participant, Lesley Roberts, said: “It gave me the stability I needed, minimised pain, and most importantly, gave me the confidence and motivation to get moving again. For the first time in a long while, I felt like myself. After my surgery, I hadn’t been out and about for nearly three years. I lost my confidence and my balance wasn’t great, and I genuinely thought I’d never ride again.”

Jenny Box, Deputy Director of Behaviour Change at Cycling UK, said:

“This project has shown something powerful. That disabled people can enjoy all the benefits of cycling for short journeys– when the right support is in place. The success of the Inclusive Cycling Experience proves that cycling isn't just about sport, it's about independence, connection, and having the freedom to get around your community easily. 

“But without things like safe routes, adapted cycle storage and a transport system designed with everyone in mind, we’re holding people back. These findings are a reminder that if we truly want inclusive, low-cost travel, we must build the infrastructure to support it and fund projects that introduce it to communities.”

Chelsea Fleming, Programme Director at the Motability Foundation said: “We’re proud to have funded this vital report, which exposes the persistent barriers disabled people face when trying to cycle for everyday journeys.

“At the Motability Foundation, we want to build transport equity, which means making journeys accessible whether they are for work, education health, leisure or simply taking care of everyday life. This report proves that, with the right support and inclusive infrastructure, inclusive cycling is possible and could be life-changing for disabled people.” 

ENDS