A new all abilities link path in Crieff is making it easier for more people to walk wheel and cycle. We caught up with local resident Amanda to hear why accessible routes mean so much to her.
Credit: Amanda Lees
Earlier this spring, Walk Wheel Cycle Trust joined local residents and partners to celebrate the opening of the new All Abilities Link Path in Crieff.
The area offers many popular walking and cycling routes and the new path creates a safer, more accessible connection between MacRosty Park and Lady Mary's Walk, making it easier for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.
The project was funded by Transport Scotland via Walk Wheel Cycle Trusts National Cycle Network Development Programme and delivered by Crieff Community Trust and partners.
Life's too short not to say yes to adventure
"I've always loved pushing boundaries and proving that 'can't' is often just a lack of imagination”, says Amanda, who lives in nearby Comrie and joined the opening of the new path.
Amanda has Col 6 muscular dystrophy, a progressive muscle-wasting condition. She works as an Office, Finance and Accessibility Manager at Comrie Croft and has spent much of her life embracing adventure whilst encouraging others to see the outdoors as a place everyone should be able to enjoy.
"Growing up, my parents and teachers always encouraged me to do everything everyone else did, just with a wee bit of adaptation. Looking back, I think that's exactly what gave me the adventurous streak I have today.”
Amanda’s life has not been short of adventures: From riding Mustang horses through the Mojave Desert in Arizona, zip-lining from the Holmenkollen ski jump in Norway or tearing down mountain bike trails on her bright pink adaptive bike with a huge grin on her face.
She says: “I'm happiest when I'm trying something new. Life's too short not to say yes to an adventure and if it takes a bit of adapting to get there, even better."
Amanda at the opening event in Crieff. Credit: Claire McMicking
A simple improvement, a world of difference
Amanda has known Lady Mary's Walk for years, but until recently there was one section she couldn't access independently.
"I couldn't access the path from the MacRosty Park side at all. It was too narrow and had eroded away so much neither my wheelchair or bike would safely get along it. For me, the only way onto Lady Mary's was up through the housing estate.
The new path is lovely. It’s a short path, but it makes it easier to access the full Lady Mary's loop. It's perfect for those who just want a wee wander through the woods, kids learning to ride bikes and anyone looking for an easier way to enjoy the area."
The freedom to be independent
"Being independent is incredibly important to me. It's just part of who I am. Asking for help isn't my first instinct, I much prefer to work things out for myself and get on with my day”, says Amanda.
“Having the freedom to make my own plans, go where I want, and do things in my own time makes a huge difference to my confidence and quality of life. When something as simple as a gate means I have to rely on someone else, it takes away that freedom of choice."
Amanda shares that getting outdoors can involve much more planning than many people realise.
"For people like me, going for a bike ride or walk means a lot of planning and research. An inaccessible route can mean missing out altogether.
Something as simple as a narrow gate, a step or a barrier can turn what should be an enjoyable walk into an impossible one. Accessible routes give people the freedom to enjoy the outdoors, stay active and connect with their community."
Amanda horse riding. Credit: Amanda Lees
Designing with people, not for them
Amanda believes accessibility should be considered from the very beginning of every project and we agree.
"'Accessible' is a word that's thrown around a lot by people who've never actually had to rely on adaptive equipment or navigate the world with a disability.
Meeting the standards is important, but just because something ticks all the boxes doesn't always mean it works well in real life.
The people who use these spaces every day are the experts. If you want to know whether something is genuinely going to be accessible, the best people to ask are the people who actually have to use it."
"It's so much easier to build accessibility in from the beginning than to try and squeeze it in afterwards.
Good design shouldn't make people feel like they're using the 'accessible version' of something, it's about creating places that everyone can enjoy, independently and with dignity."
Hear from Amanda and partners at the Crieff All Abilities Link Path opening event
