wfw cot presentations

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Healthy Lifestyles: using cycling in occupational therapyWhy cycling?

Charity number 1120905. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No 06288610.

Why consider cycling in OT?

For its: • social benefits• impact on mental wellbeing• physical health benefits• environmental benefits, and • extra benefits for disabled people and people undergoing rehabilitation• sustainability

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Social benefits

• Cycling is for everyone, whether in a park or on a road

• People can make new friends • Getting around independently opens up a

world of possibilities • It’s cheap.

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Mental wellbeing

• Physical activity is associated with subjective wellbeing and enhanced levels of self esteem

• Physical activity has been shown to reduce anxiety • Learning a new skill increases self esteem and confidence

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Physical health

• exercise is known to reduce the risk of major chronic disease such as coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes and some cancers

• regular cyclists typically enjoy a fitness level equivalent to someone 10 years younger; those cycling beyond their mid-30s could add a further 2 years to their life expectancy

• one UK study found that people who took up cycling gained the greatest benefits at the outset, but fitness continued to improve as they increased their cycle use. Reduced body fat was also noted, particularly among those who were overweight or obese at the start.

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Environmental benefits

• Reduces congestion; 80% of journeys are <= 5 miles = 30 minutes by cycle

• Reduces emissions of greenhouse and other pollutants, so increasing air quality and slowing down global warming

• Reduces dangers on the roads• Reduces demand for public transport

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beth Cyclists



Extra benefits for disabled peopleand people undergoing rehabilitation

• stroke• cerebral palsy• spinal injury or balance difficulties• people who don’t like to be surrounded by others eg who have facial disfigurement or panic

attacks. • people with Tourrette’s• encourages peristalsis so mitigating constipatory side effects of some medications• COPD • overweight/ obese people• people with learning difficulties• people with autism• ……..

To gain control, independence and freedom

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Other reasons for considering cycling

•Once people have felt the benefits, they can continue: • they can cycle when they want, if they have their own cycle and storage• the “equipment“ is readily available from high street shops• employed people will be able to use the Cycle to Work scheme; others may be eligible for grants.

• People who continue to cycle are less likely to use the NHS

• There are many resources outside the health sector to help people cycle

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Healthy Lifestyles: using cycling in occupational therapyWhat is possible?

A review of existing cycles and scheme models

• 2, 3 and 4 wheeled cycles• 2, 3 and 3 wheeled cycle schemes• 2 wheeled cycle schemes• Components of cycle schemes

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Trikes



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A side by side tandem



Handcycles

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bush

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Recumbents



Some quad cycles

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The company cycle

- social inclusion in action

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2,3,4-wheeled cycle schemes

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London Recumbents, Dulwich Park, Southwark

Companion Cycling, Bushy Park, Richmond

Eco-local’s Inclusive Cycling, Sutton

Pedalpower, Finsbury Park, Islington

Wheels for Wellbeing Bikes in the Park, Lambeth

Wheels for Wellbeing Cycling for All, Croydon

Bikeworks All Ability Club, Tower Hamlets

London Recumbents, Battersea Park, Wandsworth

Haringey Mencap

……etc…………….



2,3,4-wheeled cycle schemes

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• run in an enclosed space eg athletics track or park

• staff provide initial assessment and guidance on using cycle and helmets; if enough staff some 1-1 training possible

• most people come with a supporter/ family/ group; some to try out before buying

• people may cycle around track or park, or go on an organised ride around park

•run all year round?

•refreshments makes making friends easier

• can be used for other groups at other times eg over 50s, lessons for children from special schools, carers groups

• most are free or heavily subsidised

• may be managed by volunteers or paid staff with paid/ volunteer qualified cycle instructors and mechanic. Ideally partnership of statutory and 3rd sector orgns.



2 wheeled cycle schemes

“Cycling for health“,“adult 1-1 training“Wheels for Wellbeing “Cycling for Health“ Croydon

Pedal4Health, WandsworthBikeworks “Cycling for Health“, Tower Hamlets

Cycling Projects “Health on Wheels“ initiatives, many north west based PCTs

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Subsidised adult 1-1 cycle training in most London boroughs with a range of suppliers

Cyclinginstructor.comLife Cycle

Cycle Training UKCycle Experience

Lewisham Council




Adult 1-1 cycle training

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• already offered in most London boroughs and by some other localauthorities

• heavily subsidised, 1-1 tuition

• teach to National Standards (old Cycling Proficiency)

• Level 1: has basic control skills (eg stopping, starting, signalling) in a traffic free environment

• Level 2: can ride safely on quiet roads

• Level 3: can ride on busy roads and use complex junctions and road features




“Cycling for health“•Participants may be referred through the local Active Lifestylesprogramme

•participants are returning or novice cyclists

• novice cyclists will often need 1-1 tuition at start

• cycles are available for people to use or people may use their own

• use an off road environment especially to start, ideally need some progression to give people confidence to ride on the road

• usually paid for by statutory sector, perhaps part of a HealthyLifestyles programme

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Components of cycle schemesThe offer • 1-1 cycle training to learn to ride or improve confidence / skills for off road and on road cycling

• organised rides so people build up confidence to ride alone and/ or on the road; check have achieved certain cycle standard before go on road as a group

• away from the road sessions eg bike maintenance, map reading, road safety

• free cycle maps and other goodies eg lights, hi-viz

• Access to cheap or free cycles (from re-cycle schemes?)

•building in sustainability Charity number 1120905. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No 06288610.


Components of cycle schemes

Resources• pool cycles - 2, 3 and 4 wheels?• storage – in / close to off road location eg park• a mechanic • cycle instructors – at least provisionally qualified

to teach National Standards• co-ordination• when to operate? During week days 9-5 means

only unemployed/ retired people can attend.



What’s possible?

• What cycles exist?• What types of scheme operate?• What are the key components of any

cycle scheme?

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Healthy Lifestyles: using cycling in occupational therapyGetting started


• What do you want to do?

• Find out what’s happening locally

• Cycle training

• Issues for new schemes:

• Cycles and equipment

• Location

• Money and insurance

• Staffing

• Sustainability

Getting started

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What’s happening locally?Talk to your• PCT and any Active Lifestyles team. • local council. The Transport department should have a

cycle officer. • local cycle campaign group. Most London boroughs

have local groups of the London Cycling Campaign. The Cycling Tourist’s Club have local groups. Many cities have independent campaign groups.

• local “Cycling for All“ or similar project. • local recycle scheme/ police for old cycles • local CTC Community Champion• Cycling Demonstration Town team (if you work in one)



Cycle trainingHave a cycle lesson.

Think about becoming qualified as an instructor or assistant instructor or ride leader - part of CPD?

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Shapioro



Issues for new schemes: cyclesPool bikes

– 2 wheelers. Think about things like a variety of frame sizes and shapes, footstands, quick release on the saddles.

– 3 and 4 wheelers: • find a list of manufacturers; • visit websites and other projects• talk to Wheels for All about their start up support.

Bikes people can buy cheaply or with help• recycle or other bike maintenance scheme? • vouchers for people on low incomes? • For people with mobility difficulties, there is a VAT

exemption



Other cycle kitAre people cycling on or off the road?

Which of the following will they need?

• Helmets• Locks• Hi-viz vests• Shower proof jackets• For people with additional needs:

– “Active hands“?– Calipers?– Trunk or other support?– Straps for the waist or to attach

people’s feet to pedals?



Issues for new schemes: location• space for storage • security• close access to disabled toilets• convenient parking, especially for people who are arriving by minibus or who are Blue Badge holders• make sure that Disabled Bays are enforced in parks• a large flat area for cycling. Athletics tracks can be ideal, as are secluded areas in parks which offer more scope for varied routes• access to electricity so tea and coffee can be made, especially useful in the colder months. • a link to a cycle route, ideally off road

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Issues for new schemes: funding, insurance & evaluation

– Fundraising takes time. An application may not be successful or you may be awarded less than you asked for.

– Lots of places where you can find out about possible funding sources.

§ Work in partnership with others to maximise funding opportunities

§ Get the local commissioners on your side. § Are there any charitable trusts associated with your

organisation? – Need to partner up with a non-statutory body which can

access other sources eg. charities, community interest companies, community groups?

– Insurance - if you run a scheme, will your insurer cover it

– Evaluate – how can you prove you have spent the money well?



Issues for new schemes: staffing– If you decide to contract with a local cycle

training provider, • do a mystery customer check • check the qualifications of their staff and the

training and mentoring they receive • Check their experience of working with

people with additional needs• Check what access they have to appropriate

cycles

– If you choose to run your own scheme, who will manage it and how will they be paid for?



Issues for new schemes: sustainability

• Maps and routes– Local council cycle maps– Transport for London cycle maps – National Cycle Network maps– Online journey planners

• Organised rides– Check local cycle groups (campaign groups, CTC). Often

provided online only but some send out a written list once a quarter.

– Get cyclists to start a new one• Bike maintenance classes and workshops

– Are they provided locally? • Fact sheet for new cyclists



• Find out what’s happening locally

• Cycle training

• Issues for new schemes:

• Cycles and equipment

• Location

• Money

• Staffing

• Sustainability

Ready to go?

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