Thistle Outdoors team sees adaptive bike use increase by two thirds from April 2022

Join us, our adaptive bike sessions are open to everyone!

Since launch, Thistle Outdoors has gone from strength to strength with our adaptive bike sessions seeing a significant increase in uptake.

Thistle Outdoors is focused on increasing participation in outdoor activities and supporting people across Edinburgh to achieve their personal outcomes. Our sessions feature a range of specially adapted bikes, including trikes and side by side cycles. They run throughout the week and leave from the Centre of Wellbeing in Craigmillar and Saughton Park

Over the last few months, the Thistle Outdoors team has also been out on the road. They’ve attended a number of events in and around Edinburgh, including a Jubilee event in the Borders and Bikefest at Bellfied. The team has also been running sessions with Braidburn School (in conjunction with Active Schools) which provided eight members of the senior school access to Bikeability.

Braidburn’s school teacher said, “Every aspect of the sessions was brilliant, from the positivity and support of the staff to the accessibility and availability of the equipment. Our young people really enjoyed the sessions and definitely improved their confidence on the bikes as the sessions progressed.”

Gill Messenger from the Thistle Outdoors team adds, “Whatever the setting, whatever the weather people are getting out and about and seeing the benefit of using our adaptive bikes. Of course, all of the activities we run would not be possible without the support of our wonderful and skilled volunteers – so to them I’d like to say a huge thank you.

“We’re currently running three weekly sessions. Find out more by clicking the link above.”

Alongside our adaptive bike sessions, Thistle Outdoors also offers a range of other activities, from boccia to our woodland and community conservation groups. You can find out more by contacting us: thistleoutdoors@thistle.org.uk / 0131 661 3366.