Dalby Forest cycling champion up for national tourism award

Rob Brown's not-for-profit hire scheme enables people of all abilities to enjoy the outdoors

A North Yorkshire man has been shortlisted for a top tourism award for his work adapting cycles and e-bikes to suit all abilities.

Rob Brown is co-director of Dalby Forest Cycle Hub, a not-for-profit hire scheme.

He is the only Yorkshire finalist to be nominated for the Tourism Superstar 2024 award, run by VisitEngland.

Mr Brown said he becomes "part of the lives" of people he helps and was "amazed" to be nominated.

However, he said he hoped the nomination might "raise awareness" of the cycling scheme.

"There will be people who need help and we want to help them to get out and have fun," he said.

"That's what it's all about for me, making that happen for people."

Volunteers at Dalby Forest Cycle Hub provide accessible cycling

One of the people helped by Mr Brown is Roger Barker from Scarborough who suffered a brain stem stroke four years ago.

"Rob introduced me to the recumbent trike and brought me out here into the forest," he said.

"Rob's an amazing chap. He helps so many people, some a lot worse off than me, but there's a lot of equipment to help anyone with any type of disability."

Mr Barker, 72, said he wanted to pay tribute to Mr Brown.

"I'd like to say to him thank you for all the time you've spent encouraging me and helping me to be able do all the things I can do now, that I would never have thought I could do," he said.

Roger Barker (pictured above) said "without Rob Brown none of us would be able to do the amazing things we do"

Mr Brown said the scheme had a "huge range of adapted bikes" which helped people with "all sorts of restrictions" on the type of bicycle they could normally ride.

"If one doesn't work we'll find another one that does," he added.

Members of the Coastline Sight and Hearing group are also among those to have benefitted.

David Tayne, 59, from the group said: "With us all being visually impaired we need the support to do it."

Mr Tayne explained that volunteers ran alongside the trikes to guide them were to go.

He added: "Without Rob I just wouldn't be able to ride a bike. He should get this award."

Craig Alverton, from Scarborough, a former soldier injured in Ireland in 1998, said: "I got brain damage, many broken bones, and lost my eyesight."

"It makes such a difference to be able to get out of the house, instead of being stuck in the four walls," the 45-year-old said.

"We're out on the bikes in the open in fresh air."

People can vote for the award on VisitEngland's website, with the winner announced in March.