Handcycle hire: At what cost?
Bike hire: The golden ticket
Living in Cornwall within such close proximity to the Camel trail, Cardinham woods, and Lanhydrock gives me a front seat to see just how popular bike hire is! The Camel trail is teeming with cyclists, and there are literally hundreds of bikes for hire at key points along the trails.
The very first bike hire on the camel trail (and in fact Cornwall) was set up in 1983 by Nigel at Bridge bike hire in Wadebridge:
‘From humble beginnings Bridge Bike Hire has played an integral part in the development of the trail and other cycle trails and hires across the country including, working with Sustrans and Centre Parcs as well as setting up the first cycle hire delivery service in 2000, Go ByCycle.’
His website explains what a great idea it was! Bike hire is very much a ‘golden ticket’ with a balance between getting a fleet of bikes at the right price, making the most of hire in a great location, and then selling off the stock at the end of a season, ready to repeat the process the following year. With many hire businesses also offering bike servicing to supplement their income, it would seem that bike hire, when done right, is a very viable career option.
My choice to venture into the world of cycle hire was made whilst under the influence of the intoxicating buzz that came with riding around on my newly obtained handcycle. Everyone needs to try this cool cycle!
I think in my mind I had visions of sunny bike rides and being paid to go out on rides with others to show them just how great inclusive cycling is! I’ll just ride my bike and they can ride the other two bikes and it’s all going to be great right?
This was coupled with the momma bear fight for equality mission I have, which was established in 2008 with the birth of my son. It has been a growing commitment ever since.
Ollie has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Being a parent to a child with additional needs kind of has a way of turning you into a bit of a warrior for them! You don’t necessarily want to be having to do battle for things, but with access issues, numerous appointments, adaptations, and the general requirement for specialised things, it's not as straight forward as it could be.
An example of this is shoes. If my daughter needs new shoes, it’s a trip to the shops and hey presto, we can get shoes in a day, possibly two if she's feeling indecisive! If Ollie needs new shoes, we have to book an appointment, wait around a month for that appointment to get measured up, then order the shoes, then another appointment to fit the shoes. We only get one pair for all activities. They act as trainer/school shoe/wellies/flip flops/ don’t wear them out too fast it takes months to get another pair shoes. An extra pair would cost £90. This is just for shoes; it’s a battle. You slowly get turned into a warrior, and it makes me wish things could be easier.
Specialised is a term that I've come to associate with a high price tag. This high price tag can be found on the majority of products which are ‘specialised for disabled use’. I won’t dive into whether or not they are justified, but I do feel there is a ‘disability tax’ which prevents access to equipment. Combine that with potentially working less due to disability or relying on benefit and you’re not going to be in a position to spend £5k on a handcycle. There aren’t as many options for the differently abled, and those that do exist are not just expensive, but also provide storage and transportation issues before you’ve even begun to factor in insurance.
I firmly believe there should be hire options for differently abled cyclists, there should be access for all. Of course, this was something I had looked into before seeking out my own bike. Currently the hire options consist of a wheelchair tandem (platform on the front for a wheelchair to go on, able bodied person required to pedal the tandem) or a mobility scooter. These are popular options, but as someone who wants to be more independent and active, and is able to do so given the right equipment, another option was required. I knew I wasn’t the only one.
So, how do I go about bringing this idea of handcycle hire into reality? It definitely doesn’t fit the model of cycle hire that works so well for the numerous local businesses. I thought talking to one of the existing hirers would be a good start. The enthusiasm to see the options extended to encourage differently abled cyclists was there. As to was the reality check that unfortunately it’s not a sensible business decision from a financial point of view. They take up the space of three regular bikes that pretty much guarantee hire, they require more time for handover, and they just happen to cost £5k which is going to be a very long return time! A mobility scooter ticks the box for access so why go for handcycle hire?
When I think of cycling, I think of the amazing energy and enthusiasm of the differently abled cyclists I know. They are what I would term sporty. Some people are sporty, some are not. This isn’t changed by your physical ability; I know able-bodied people who loathe exercise just as some disabled people do. Handcycling for me isn’t just about the exercise, though it’s a great benefit, it’s about inclusion.
Inclusion, or the lack of, was what consumed me with grief when I was first diagnosed. I adored walking around the woods and exploring with the kids at their fast pace. I suddenly felt like I'd been placed firmly on the bench at the sideline having to watch from a distance and longing for my turn. There was a heaviness that stayed with me. Yes, I could get a mobility scooter and use that to tag along, but for me I wanted to be more active. Getting the XCR handcycle threw me right back out there! It made my daughter say ‘I’ve got adventure mum back’. That warmed me and, though there are still moments of heaviness as I adapt, the load feels lighter.
If there’s me, the not quite sporty but likes to be active (I'm not good at doing nothing) person who has gained so much from handcycling then surely, it’s worth providing the option for others.
Opting to push forward with handcycle hire knowing that it’s going to be time consuming and not as financially rewarding as regular bike hire is a risk. I still need to run it as a business in order for it to be viable, but will endeavor to keep the cost low in order to avoid the ‘disability tax’ feeling. It definitely includes a lot more work than a ride in the sunshine! The whole experience to date has provided a new found respect for all small business owners, and to the CIC’s out there who have all the additional admin and funding to consider. I thank you for your commitment to helping others. I look forward to some collaboration in the future.
For me, there’s a ‘price’ to pay with being differently-abled, it can be a mental one when dealing with lack of inclusion and equality, and the various other challenges. Physically it can take its toll. Financially there’s that ‘disabled tax’.
Providing an inclusive cycling option pays back mentally, physically, and financially (eventually!)
