Bike or bus ?

[gbnz]

Having been partially disabled for five years, it'd seem to make sense to travel by "disabled" routes, such as using the disabled bus pass or disabled rail card ? Having broken a leg into five, a thigh, a pelvis, ribs, wrist in the past 13 months (Nb. Not on a bike), had 50+ emergency ambulance journeys in 5 yr's, last admission into an acute medical unit 3-5am several weeks back, previous 6 weeks before that around 2-3pm, surely travelling by "official" disabled routes would make sense?

Why is it still much quicker & more pleasant & less of a risk to do the 34 mile round commute 3-4 times a week, or the 5 mile walk to the train station on bicycle and/or foot, rather than by bus and/or train? Train end of last week, waited 2 hours, to find 20 minutes prior to arrival, it'd be stopping 32 miles short. A mainline operator. Saturdays 14.15 bus, arrival 15.25.

There's something about travelling on a bus, when having devoted 45 minutes to travelling, one is 1.5 miles down the road. Even if only doing a leisurely 14mph average, I'd be 11.5 miles down the road by bicycle

Pity there aren't Disabled Grants in the UK for buying bicycles and/or boots. Bicycles & feet can be relied upon Anyone know of any disabled grants in the UK, for travelling on one's feet and/or bicycle

[rjb]

Is the cycle to work scheme still running.

[simonhill]

My pension doesn't have a specific 'grant' for bike or boot.

I budget accordingly.

[Grldtnr]

Not sure what your asking about here, I do understand that waiting about for a Bus or train is time consuming,or even inconvenient, but how exactly are you disabled?
Is your balance co- ordaintion compromised, can you still ride a bicycle?
If so I'd consider 3 wheels instead of 2, trikes are tricky beasts to ride, conventional up right ones anyway, Recumbent ones, are easier, but considerably more expensive.
The other option is to go the E- bike route.
If your situation was because of an Accident ,Road traffic collision, then the insurance or compensation will cover disbursements for Hospital appointments, ask and keep all receipts, and present to the insurers for a refund.
I was involved in a RTC ,and needed to travel to a hospital for ongoing treatment, eventually ,I transferred to my local hospital for any ongoing medical care.

I don't know or am aware of medical grants for such things, but first and best seems to ask at where you are being treated.
In this risk averse litigious society, taking public transport or taxi is the way Insurers would want you to do

[Grldtnr]

Kudos to you if you are up to a daily walk of 10 miles ,to and from a rail stn.
You must be 'fit' despite that litany of injuries?

[simonhill]

I too am confused. I have regularly read gbnz's exploits which put my feeble efforts into the shade.

Here is a clip from 6 Nov

"Afternoon spin for past two years has been a 28.5 mile, 1774' climb. "

When he mentions his "disability" I sometimes wonder if he is pushing himself too far, what is he trying to achieve. His riding far exceeds many supposedly able bodied cyclists, me included.

[gbnz]

My pension doesn't have a specific 'grant' for bike or boot.

I budget accordingly.

Yes, but I don't benefit from OAP political status, with all the monetary bribes.

Who ever heard of a Tory Gvt encouraging politically important OAP votes by slashing their income by 52%? Rather than the Triple Lock bribe OAP's get, it was suggested last week, that by slashing the income of a disabled person like myself by 52%, it would guarantee the income of a disabled person like myself, because it's now called " a work guarantee", rather than a welfare cut, so I would therefore have a job Presumably, in between ambulance journeys, or should I die as expected several weeks back, there wouldn't be anything stopping me now working

Who knows, could I be back as a senior officer in Local Gvt, attending Crown, Magistrates and Coroners Court, or maybe back as the Primary Presiding Officer in General Elections locally? Can't remember why I don't do that anymore, wasn't it an emergency ambulance picking me off the floor, whilst I was unconscious for 27 hours? Stuff like that shouldn't stop lazy disabled people from working, or at least not until they reach pension age

Seemed quite possible that there could be some political bribe for disabled people missing legs or whatever, grants to get a bicycle or boots for that new job. No one heard of any grants yet, under the "work guarantee" scheme? Still much better to walk or cycle to work, than use a bus

[francovendee]

I think the attitude to disability by the government is woeful at best.
It's said we are a sick nation? The biggest problem as I see it is that disability is a very broad term.
Some people are more impaired than others and it doesn't always show.
The one disability that seems to be increasing is mental problems and to me it seems the pandemic and it's effect on the young has been quite severe.
All credit to you for doing what you do and envious of your 14 mph average on a bike. I'm pretty fit but old and 10 mph average is about my best.
I have no problem with the 'triple lock bribe' I think I've earned it , I just wish disability was viewed in the same way.

[eileithyia]

What about contacting British Cycling and their inclusion policies to see if they offer assistance for bikes?

[Paulatic]

Pity there aren't Disabled Grants in the UK for buying bicycles and/or boots. Bicycles & feet can be relied upon Anyone know of any disabled grants in the UK, for travelling on one's feet and/or bicycle

Disability grants
Cyclescheme
https://cyclingforall.org/cycles/fundin ... your-bike/

[Pinhead]

Having been partially disabled for five years, it'd seem to make sense to travel by "disabled" routes, such as using the disabled bus pass or disabled rail card ? Having broken a leg into five, a thigh, a pelvis, ribs, wrist in the past 13 months (Nb. Not on a bike), had 50+ emergency ambulance journeys in 5 yr's, last admission into an acute medical unit 3-5am several weeks back, previous 6 weeks before that around 2-3pm, surely travelling by "official" disabled routes would make sense?

Anyone know of any disabled grants in the UK, for travelling on one's feet and/or bicycle

NO there are no grants England or Wales, believe me I have checked, though Sustrans do short term loans.

Are you just unlucky ?

[Pinhead]

Pity there aren't Disabled Grants in the UK for buying bicycles and/or boots. Bicycles & feet can be relied upon Anyone know of any disabled grants in the UK, for travelling on one's feet and/or bicycle

Disability grants
Cyclescheme
https://cyclingforall.org/cycles/fundin ... your-bike/

Good luck with ANY of them !!!

[L+1]

Are you in Scotland?
We have this scheme… but I see it’s closing to new applicants in the near future…
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/grants ... bike-loan/
I don’t know anyone personally who has sucessfully applied but I do know of a good independent bike shop which was highlighting it to potential e-bike purchasers, so I assume the scheme was genuinely accessible.

However, its’ closure has been advertised before… it might close and then re-open with different criteria.
There is a ‘non electric’ adapted cycle section if that’s more of interest.

[LittleGreyCat]

Having been partially disabled for five years, it'd seem to make sense to travel by "disabled" routes, such as using the disabled bus pass or disabled rail card ? Having broken a leg into five, a thigh, a pelvis, ribs, wrist in the past 13 months (Nb. Not on a bike), had 50+ emergency ambulance journeys in 5 yr's, last admission into an acute medical unit 3-5am several weeks back, previous 6 weeks before that around 2-3pm, surely travelling by "official" disabled routes would make sense?

<snip>

Do you mind sharing the nature of your disability?
It might help us to help you.

[slowster]

The OP apparently has disabled passes for bus and rail travel. I don't think it is necessary or appropriate to question or challenge the nature of his disability in order to be able to respond to his request for information about grants or similar to help disabled people with the costs of active travel forms of transport.