Introduction

Cycling offers significant benefits for disabled people in the form of independent mobility and improved management of chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity through increased physical activity. However, disabled people in the UK have a lower propensity to cycle than the general population. This is often assumed to reflect lower levels of interest and reduced capability to cycle, although there is little reported evidence on the actual cycling experiences of disabled people. This study contributes to knowledge in the field by exploring the infrastructural and environmental challenges negotiated by a group of disabled people who currently cycle and utilise the cycle network in Swindon - a typical large town in the UK.

Methods

Focus groups and in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 disabled cyclists and support workers from an inclusive cycling centre. Some participant also chose to take part in a ‘ride-along’ interview to complement participants' own accounts with observational data.

Results

Participants who used adapted cycles experienced the greatest difficulties in using the cycle network and generally considered their cycles unsuitable for transportation purposes. This was due to both physical obstructions and a requirement to ‘dismount’ in pedestrianised areas where cycling is prohibited. Compared with adapted cycle-users, participants with ‘invisible disabilities’ using standard cycles experienced a greater sense of vulnerability when cycling in motor traffic, as drivers exhibited less care around them. Financial and social barriers to cycling also emerged strongly in participants' accounts.

Conclusions

Many challenges faced by disabled cyclists reflect those experienced by non-disabled cyclists, but barriers are much more profound for disabled people. Public authorities need to improve the inclusivity of cycling in towns through measures such as: creating pathways to help more disabled people progress from learning to cycle to cycling independently; regular audits of the network using an adapted cycle; and legally recognising cycles as mobility aids.

中文翻译：

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对典型的英国城市自行车网络对残疾人骑车者的可及性的定性研究

介绍

骑自行车以独立的出行方式和通过增加体育锻炼改善对慢性健康状况（如心脏病，糖尿病和肥胖症）的管理方式为残疾人带来了重大好处。但是，英国的残疾人比一般人群的骑自行车倾向要低。尽管很少有关于残疾人实际骑车经历的证据报道，但这通常被认为反映了人们较低的兴趣水平和降低的骑自行车能力。这项研究通过探索一群残疾人的基础设施和环境挑战，从而为该领域的知识做出了贡献。这些残疾人目前在英国典型的大城镇斯温顿骑自行车并利用自行车网络。

方法

与来自一个包容性自行车中心的16名残疾人自行车手和支持人员进行了焦点小组讨论和深入访谈。一些参与者还选择参加“随行随谈”采访，以补充参与者自己的观察数据。

结果

使用适应性自行车的参与者在使用自行车网络时遇到了最大的困难，通常认为他们的自行车不适合运输。这是由于身体上的障碍和在禁止骑行的行人专用区“下马”的要求所致。与适应的自行车使用者相比，使用标准自行车的“隐形障碍者”参与者在汽车交通中骑自行车时更加容易受到伤害，因为驾驶员对其周围的照顾较少。参与者的账目中也强烈出现了自行车骑行的经济和社会障碍。

结论

残疾骑自行车者面临的许多挑战反映了非残疾骑自行车者所经历的挑战，但是对残疾人来说，障碍更为深远。公共部门需要通过以下措施来提高城镇自行车的包容性：创造途径，帮助更多的残疾人从学习到骑车发展到独立骑车；使用适当的周期对网络进行定期审核；并在法律上将周期视为行动辅助。