Ossie always thought cycling wasn’t for him. Living in London with Cerebral Palsy, his balance had always been a barrier to cycling. But the Wheels4Me project gave him the freedom to join the thousands of people he sees cycling every day.
The Wheels4Me cycle loan totally changed how Ossie feels about cycling. Credit: Walk Wheel Cycle Trust.
Finding a way back to cycling
"I didn’t have much cycling experience before the loan", Ossie explains.
"I used stabilisers when I was younger, but I gave up when I didn’t want to use them anymore."
That changed after spotting adapted cycles while travelling in Japan.
Curious, he did some research and later joined led rides with Wheels for Wellbeing – where he first heard about Wheels4Me.
The idea of cycling in London, on his own terms, suddenly felt possible.
Why Wheels4Me made a difference
For Ossie, long waits for trains had its frustrations.
"I used to take the train, but the long waits were frustrating – especially when you just want to get home."
Living in Deptford, surrounded by cycle lanes and watching others commute by bike, he started to imagine another option.
Wheels4Me gave him the chance to try that option safely.
"It meant I could leave work when it suited me and not have to worry about train times", Ossie says.
The project offers free loans of adapted or non-standard cycles, designed for people whose needs aren’t met by typical bike hire schemes.
Each loan includes delivery, training, insurance and expert support, making it easier for people to build confidence and find the right cycle.
Try Wheels4Me before the scheme ends
Building confidence, one ride at a time
"At first, I used it for leisure – a couple of rides a week to Greenwich."
But it wasn’t long before those journeys grew into something bigger.
"I began cycling to work twice a week, then more often. Eventually, I was riding in all kinds of weather."
Having the cycle available right outside his door made all the difference. With electric assist, it felt manageable and empowering.
"The real joy was that the bike was right outside my door – ready when I was."
For Ossie, cycling quickly became about more than getting from A to B. It boosted his confidence, helped him destress and travel independently. Credit: Walk Wheel Cycle Trust.
More than just a commute
Cycling quickly became about more than just getting from A to B.
"I really appreciated travelling under my own steam and enjoying the journey", he says.
"It gave me time to de-stress and take in my surroundings."
There were practical benefits too. No waiting on platforms. No rigid timetables. More time at home.
"It meant I could get back to my family sooner rather than waiting at the station."
For Ossie, the biggest change was how he felt.
"The cycle loan totally changed how I feel about cycling", he says.
"Even things like riding next to a double-decker bus – I wouldn’t have felt safe doing that before."
Step by step, journey by journey, he built confidence.
What once felt out of reach became part of daily life.
Like many adapted cycling experiences, it wasn’t without its challenges.
The physical effort of unlocking and preparing the cycle could be difficult, as the chain was heavy and hard to handle due to his balance issues.
And finding secure parking was sometimes a concern.
But support from the Wheels4Me team – including providing extra locks – helped him keep going.
"Nothing could stop me", he says.
The Wheels4Me project ends in July 2026, and we want as many people as possible to experience the benefits before it finishes. Credit: Chandra Prasad.
While Ossie would love to keep cycling, access remains a barrier.
"The bike I used is quite expensive, so it would take some saving. It’s hard to find schemes that support disabled people to buy cycles which can be much more expensive than other bikes", he explains.
"I’m back on public transport for now, but I’d definitely like to cycle more in the future."
Ossie's story highlights why schemes like Wheels4Me matter – not just for access, but for confidence, independence and opportunity.
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Helping disabled people experience the joys of cycling: Katie's story
Read the storyWheels4Me is a free cycle loan scheme helping disabled people access non-standard cycles. Katie Renker is a specialist advisor who provides support for people looking for a cycle that meets their needs. Here, Katie shares her cycling story and how she loves pairing people with the right cycle for their situation.
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Give it a spin: Try Wheels4me before the scheme ends this summer
Find out about the schemeWheels4Me London provides accessible loans of non-standard cycles to disabled people in London. As part of a landmark initiative to widen participation in cycling, we’re working with partners to deliver a London‑wide accessible cycle loan scheme. Try the scheme while it’s still running — and experience the benefits for yourself before it ends this summer.
