#LearningDisability, #obesity #inclusiveCycling and #COVID19 (a thread)

@BorisJohnson own experience of #COVID19 may have stirred this decision - particularly good if https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚲" title="Fahrrad" aria-label="Emoji: Fahrrad"> is also included.
However, it would be good if those with #LearningDisability and https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53541866">https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-5...

with other conditions that limit their mobility are excluded from this. Data from Public Health England suggests, more than 50% of those with a learning disability are either overweight or obese. Causes are multifactorial.
https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/documents/Health_inequalities_Overweight_obesity_underweight.pdf">https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/documents...

Carer Poverty is also a fact - due to inability to work due to caring responsibilities and due to poor mental and physical health in #Carers .
#SocialIsolation and #SocialExclusion are also well known factors. Both exacerbated by COVID.
https://www.carersuk.org/news-and-campaigns/news/carers-uk-reacts-to-latest-joseph-rowntree-report-on-poverty">https://www.carersuk.org/news-and-...

Since taking uphttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚲" title="Fahrrad" aria-label="Emoji: Fahrrad"> enthusiastically, I have missed not being able to go out with our learning disabled son together on a physical activity. He enjoys the outdoors but struggles with crowds and balance. Cycling could be the best option for many like him. https://twitter.com/DrGirishPsych/status/1274628561681502209?s=20">https://twitter.com/DrGirishP...

I started looking at #InclusiveCycling and discovered it is a niche field with few retailers and even fewer manufacturers. There are a few very good CIC (Community Interest Companies). Costs for such cycles are prohibitive for most. https://www.getcycling.org.uk/Disability-Cycles/multi-seaters">https://www.getcycling.org.uk/Disabilit...

That got me thinking https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤔" title="Denkendes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Denkendes Gesicht">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤔" title="Denkendes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Denkendes Gesicht">

In the UK, if you qualify for it - you can get a https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚗" title="Auto" aria-label="Emoji: Auto"> on a @Motability. However, you can& #39;t get an #inclusivebicycle! Now imagine a post COVID new normal where @BorisJohnson launches a scheme allowing purchase of an inclusive bicycle on a similar scheme https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤔" title="Denkendes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Denkendes Gesicht">

Immediate advantages:
1. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬆️" title="Pfeil nach oben" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach oben">mental/physical health for those with learning disabilities and their #Carers
2. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten">levels of obesity (and its consequences)
3. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten">pollution levels (https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚗" title="Auto" aria-label="Emoji: Auto"> journeys replaced byhttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚲" title="Fahrrad" aria-label="Emoji: Fahrrad"> journeys)
4. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten">transmission rate of COVID19 with all the attendant benefits

5. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬆️" title="Pfeil nach oben" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach oben">dealer distribution with more shops selling inclusive https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚲" title="Fahrrad" aria-label="Emoji: Fahrrad"> across the country
6. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬆️" title="Pfeil nach oben" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach oben">investment in improving the safety, quality and agility of inclusive https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚲" title="Fahrrad" aria-label="Emoji: Fahrrad">
There is already a vibrant community of those who promote @cycling4_all in every major town. Similar to @SheffPedalReady,

they can be funded to run training courses with a loan etrike akin to @cycleboost.
Of course, there will be a cry from motorists. However, when we https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👀" title="Augen" aria-label="Emoji: Augen">most https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚗" title="Auto" aria-label="Emoji: Auto">with 1 driver occupying the space of 4 - I think it is unfair to blame an inclusive trike for using less fuel/space.

What needs to happen next?
Perhaps a wider discussion around being truly inclusive when it comes to https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚲" title="Fahrrad" aria-label="Emoji: Fahrrad">? We wouldn& #39;t deny someone access to something based on any discriminatory feature. Why should we deny those with a #disability and their #carers access to activity that

improves #publichealth, https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten">multimorbidity, https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬆️" title="Pfeil nach oben" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach oben">wellbeing, https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten"> #COVID19 transmission and promotes industry, #innovation and #investment.
I can& #39;t see any disadvantages. Can you?
Look forward to seeing more of the #mobility vehicles below becoming mainstream.

Thread ends https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙂" title="Leicht lächelndes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Leicht lächelndes Gesicht">
If you want to read an adaptation of this in one place: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/drgirishpsych_activity-6693089424282025984-zcja">https://www.linkedin.com/posts/drg...