Accessible Cycling

Newbury Velo is a British Cycling Limitless Focus Club. Limitless is British Cycling's disability and para-cycling programme, providing inclusive opportunities for disabled people to thrive in cycling. Limitless Focus Clubs are affiliated clubs which meet specific disability inclusion criteria when delivering their club activities and are passionate about creating a positive and welcoming environment for disabled riders.

We partner with West Berkshire Council and charities such as Berkshire Vision to provide broader disability cycling to Newbury and the surrounding areas. The club's Limitless programme is led by Vice Chair Andy Jones and Tandem Leader Kevin Hurley. We work closely with British Cycling's national and regional leadership to ensure we continue to benefit from the national programme.

Being a Focus Club places Newbury Velo in the highest tier of Limitless. This recognition was awarded to us through our partnership with Berkshire Vision, enabling us to bring tandem cycling to the blind and visually impaired.

The Tandem Project.

Our Growing Tandem Project

Our British Cycling accredited coaches have designed a comprehensive tandem training programme that has resulted in the Club having a dedicated pool of volunteer pilots who specialise in providing accessible cycling opportunities.

Equipment & Sessions

The Club owns five tandems specifically for those who cannot ride a bike without support, including:

  • People who are blind or visually impaired

  • Those with additional educational requirements

  • Those with extra physical requirements

Through our partnership with West Berkshire Council, we also have access to an electric wheelchair tandem, which enables us to pilot wheelchair users on rides. The Club will soon add a semi-recumbent tandem to our fleet, thanks to the generosity of a club member and his daughter.

We provide tandem sessions in a safe, traffic-free environment, as well as integrated club rides on the open road with experienced pilots.

Success Stories

Our Race Lead, Rachael Elliott, is a inspiring example of what's possible through accessible cycling. She suffered a life-changing hemorrhagic stroke in 2018. Pre-stroke, she cycled and raced at a national level. Now, as well as having learnt to walk again, she races on the back (as a stoker) of a tandem at an international level and has broken several national tandem records.

Our Vision

Newbury Velo's vision is to make cycling accessible to everyone. Part of that commitment is providing the ability for people who can't ride alone to experience the thrill and freedom of riding a bike. That's where our tandem project comes in.

Get Involved

For more information on cycling for those with additional needs, please email Andy Jones (Vice Chair) or Kevin Hurley (Tandem Leader) and we would be delighted to speak with you.

Contact Information:

Ready to experience the freedom of cycling? Get in touch today to find out how we can help you get on a bike.

Watch Rachael’s Story on GCN (opens new window).

Working with West Berkshire Council, and Berkshire Vision.