Disability cycling project gets funding boost

Pedall offers guided rides on a fleet of specialist cycles

A project offering cycling trips in the New Forest to people with disabilities is set to expand its operations following lottery funding.

The PedAll inclusive cycling project received more than £380,000 from the National Lottery Community Fund.

It has a range of adapted bikes to support riders with a range of physical and mental health conditions.

Project manager Shelley Filby said its sessions in the forest had "long-lasting positive impacts" on riders.

PedAll currently has 50 volunteers and operates from sites at Burley and Ashurst in the national park.

More than 30 schools, colleges, residential care homes and other organisations took part in its guided cycle rides in the forest in 2023.

The lottery funding will help recruit a new ride leader.

The funding also means the project will be able to run 250 weekly group ride courses and 200 open-ride sessions per year, benefiting more than 4,000 riders.

Ms Philby said the money provided "welcome financial stability".

"We can press on with our plans to broaden the range of opportunities available to local people with disabilities and their parents and carers," she added.

The project is jointly run by the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) and charity Friends of PedAll.

NPA chairman David Bence said: "The New Forest National Park, with its relatively flat landscape and miles of gravel tracks, is the perfect place for people who may need a bit of help to get outside in nature.

‘We have already seen through PedAll that cycling can change lives, with positive impacts on physical and mental health and giving people confidence to get out and explore."