Disabled cyclists in England: imagery in policy and design

摘要

UK policy has long sought to promote cycling as a healthy and sustainable form of transport. A desire to generate an 'Olympic legacy' following the 2012 games along with pressure from campaign groups for safer infrastructure has led to more inclusive policies, with an emphasis on promoting cycling for everyone, along with new design guidance to enable it. What does that mean for disabled people and a paralympic legacy? This paper discusses how disabled people can be represented in the cycling environment, the types of cycle they use (from bicycles to quadricycles, through handcycles and tricycles) and the requirements they have. A snapshot of cycling policy and design guidance in the period 2013-2014 is analysed to see how disabled cyclists are illustrated by comparing the frequency of bicycles to other types of cycle. It concludes by recommending ways to ensure disabled people are included in the cycling mainstream.