Charlotte’s Tandems gives people with disabilities the freedom of cycling by lending tandems and tag-along bikes to people who have disabilities or additional needs. Those who are unable to ride a bike safely on their own are loaned the equipment free of charge and given support to enjoy the pleasure of cycling with their friends or family.
Charlotte – a girl with severe learning difficulties, autism and challenging behaviours has inspired hundreds of others to enjoy the benefits of cycling thanks to a charity set up by her parents, Kate and Alex Reeves
Around the UK, Charlotte's Tandems employs a series of ‘helpers’ and ‘volunteers’ that store bikes and (in normal times) teach people how to ride and enjoy them safely, as well as give them the confidence to get going.
Shropshire Cycling4All, Shropshire member Ray Hughes is the local Shropshire Helper and has a fleet of tandems available including a Buddy Bike from the USA and Weehoo Trailer both suitable for very young children.
Ray said:
“I’m so keen to make sure more people with additional needs and disabilities who may can’t ride a regular cycle know about our fantastic service and enjoy the wonders of cycling as much as Charlotte does."
Our borrowers are both children and adults and the disabilities and special needs of our borrowers have included: Severe Learning Difficulties, Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Blindness, Visual Impairment, Down’s Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Stroke, Amputation, Hearing Loss, Dyspraxia, Fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s, MS, ME, CRPS, COPD, Hemiplegia, Tuberous Sclerosis, CHARGE & MPS III.
If you know someone who could benefit from getting out and enjoying a tandem ride, visit CharlottesTandems.co.uk to find out more.
You will need to fill in the Contact Form and Alex will put you in touch with Ray if he’s your nearest Volunteer.
Alternatively ring Ray to have a chat first on 01746 785659 tourderay@gmail.com
You will need to find a family member or friend to take you out and arrange transport to collect (and return at the end of the hire) the tandem from Ray’s house near Much Wenlock. Tandems can usually fit into a standard car.
Click here for a short video, and articles, here for our Radio 4 In Touch article and here for our ITV News article.