Thanks for putting me right on this.
I can remember lots of things about cycling. I can remember as an arrogant young puppy being very keen on cycling and shared pathways and all of that and came into conflict with the National Federation of the Blind through an exchange of correspondence in the local newspaper. Later on I come to work with my one time antagonist, and in these latter days when all hell has broken loose, where cyclists are no longer educated, and nothing is policed as a wobbly person I face imminent danger on the pavements where I ought to be safe.
When I was a young and keen cyclist it was very ableist however, notwithstanding as you say the cycle is in itself a mobility aid. I was long aware of the disparities in technology, availability and expense between wheelchairs, and cycles. My mum cycled as long as she could with rheumatoid arthritis, I remember clearly the last cycle ride I took with her, but after that as time went on, I am afraid no amount of wishful thinking could restore enough mobility to her joints to allow anything other than an electric wheelchair, which was her freedom.
Well there is perhaps a new take on the riddle of the sphinx, having started out on a tricycle and now in my latter days going back to one. There is that question of what do you do with your walking stick when you are on two or three wheels, I have solved that one, because I have a take down stick that is like a billiard cue, that comes in two halves, though perhaps I should ride with pride, stick held out ahead like a lance to tilt at windmills.
Larry
From: The Disability-Research Discussion List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kevin Hickman
Sent: 14 October 2017 13:34
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Tue 7th Nov: Conference on Disability & Cycling, City Hall, London
Hi Larry,
Congratulations on the trike :o)
The ‘supercrip' thing’ is a concern, as is the perception that if you can ride a bicycle you can’t be disabled. Wheels for Wellbeing promotes cycles primarily as mobility aids, and possibly its biggest challenge is gaining recognition that when a disabled person is using a cycle to get around they don’t magically become a superbeing, but that they may still be unable to walk far, if at all.
We believe the notion that people who cycle are all fit and able, and possibly more so than the general population, results in exclusive cycle infrastructure designed for superbeings on standard bicycles such as steps and kissing gates that a parent with children struggles with, let alone a disabled person. A survey of disabled cyclists WfW undertook this year highlighted why that’s a problem, with more than half of the respondents saying they use standard bicycles. It shouldn’t be a surprise, because of all the reasons you mentioned to Kay - cost, size, storage - but the perception is very hard to dislodge.
I wrote a paper on imagery which covered some of the issues - there’s a link to it here if you’re interested…
Sitting in the part of the Venn diagram where cycling and disability overlap can be ‘interesting’ - both looking at disability through the lens of cycling, and cycling through the lens of disability. Almost too interesting sometimes :o)
Cheers,
Kevin.
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