Forestry Commission Scotland is helping to roll back the boundaries of
physical activity for disabled people.
The 7stanes trails on seven sites across the Borders are
already a mecca for able-bodied mountain bikers.But now Forestry Commission
Scotland is opening up 7stanes facilities to disabled people, as part of a
programme of improving access. It claims plans to extend mountain biking for
the disabled are unique in Scotland.
"Most disabled biking is provided in flat places like Blackpool,"
said project manager Karl Bartlett. "Getting people into mountain biking
at all levels is really important for us."
The trails recently won an
award, the Marshall Kennedy Millennium Quaich, in recognition of the work done.
A one-kilometre extension has been built at Dalbeattie, which has been
specially widened for wheelchair use and for disabled children using 'buggy'
style bikes pulled by their parents.
At the Kirroughtree site
there is an adapted skills loop for disabled mountain bikers, bike hire and
even a 'try before you buy' option for the specially adapted bikes, as they can
be expensive. "We need to make our region as accessible as possible to
everyone," said Lindsay MacGillivray, of the local tourist board, which
presented the Millennium Quaich. She said the Quaich was given to 7stanes
because Forestry Commission Scotland's plans are so imaginative. "In the
past disabled people have found they can't get full access to facilities or
sometimes even accommodation so we need to make sure everyone can enjoy what is
on offer in the area."
7stanes has also won praise
from disabled people's advocacy and support agency, Capability Scotland. The
recognition that disabled people enjoy the outdoors, bikes and exercise is very
welcome, according to Capability Scotland's Julie Laird. "This sounds like
a really forward-looking facility which is set to break down barriers,"
she said.
The Forestry Commission is
not resting on its laurels. The organisation is proud of its efforts to make
its facilities user-friendly for disabled people across the UK. The commission recently redesigned
way markers for trails, so that the shape of the marker as well as its colour
shows the level of difficulty. This helps those who are partially sighted and
colour-blind.
Mr
Bartlett said a second phase is now being planned for 7stanes, to extend what
is on offer and provide better opportunities. There will be new trails that
will cater for both mountain biking novices and for people with more profound
disabilities. He said: "We want to open up the trails to people with
different types and levels of disabilities."It is important that disabled
people get a real experience of mountain biking."
To find out more about the 7stanes project, contact Julie Cartner,
the Lead Development Coordinator, or Margaret Bryden, Project Support.
7stanes Office
Forestry Commission Scotland
55/57 Moffat Road, Dumfries,
DG1 1NP
Tel: 01387 272 440
Fax: 01387 251 491
Email: 7stanes@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Article courtesy of BBC.co.uk
