The Adaptive Riders Collective (ARC) is dedicated to creating safe, empowering, and inclusive riding experiences. While we proudly support individuals who benefit from adaptive riding, ARC is not just for adaptive riders — there is a place for anyone who wants to join our rides. We aim to bring riders together, regardless of ability, to share the joy of off-road cycling while ensuring the wellbeing of all involved — participants, leaders, volunteers, and the public.
To help keep everyone safe and to make sure each rider can get the most from our activities, we may ask some questions of both adaptive and non-disabled riders before they join us. This helps us understand your experience, needs, and expectations so we can ensure a positive, suitable, and enjoyable experience for the whole group.
Who Adaptive Riders Collective (ARC) Can Provide For
ARC aims to welcome a wide range of riders by offering adaptive off-road cycling experiences that are supportive, empowering, and safe. Every rider’s needs are unique, and if you're unsure whether ARC is right for you, please don’t worry — just get in touch. Our experienced and knowledgeable team will work with you to understand your needs and explore whether we can make things work safely and effectively.
We are particularly well-suited to support:
People with a disability, mobility challenges, or anyone who may benefit from adaptive cycling equipment who are seeking welcoming, accessible, and uplifting off-road cycling experiences.
Individuals who can use equipment with a suitable level of independence, enabling them to interact confidently and safely with adaptive riding tools.
Participants who have the cognitive ability to assess risks and make safe decisions while riding.
Riders with physical disabilities, including spinal injuries, progressive conditions such as MS, and various other mobility-related conditions.
Our Commitment to Safety
Safety is at the heart of everything we do at ARC. Our leaders bring extensive training, experience, and professionalism to every session:
British Cycling Mountain Bike Leader qualified
Outdoor First Aid qualified
Fully insured as ride leaders
Public liability insurance held
Much time and preparation goes into every ride, including route planning, recceing, risk assessing, and ongoing adaptive equipment maintenance. Leaders carry full MTB leader kits to respond to a range of situations on the trail.
Our goal is always to keep participants, volunteers, leaders, and the public safe.
Our Approach to Inclusivity and Support
ARC is founded on the belief that adaptive off-road cycling should be accessible to as many people as possible. We never aim to exclude anyone. However, off-road cycling carries inherent risks, and we must ensure we can support each rider safely.
Before your first activity, we gather information respectfully and confidentially to help determine:
What equipment is appropriate
What level of support may be required
Whether we can provide a safe experience for you and the group
If we are not currently able to support you — whether due to equipment limitations or necessary support we cannot yet provide — we will always do our best to guide you towards another organisation that may be able to help.
Tackling Barriers to Participation
ARC actively works to reduce barriers that may prevent people from accessing adaptive cycling opportunities.
Financial barriers:
We charge £20 for weekly sessions and around £30 for weekend rides.
These costs help ensure commitment and contribute to a small portion of our overheads.
We do not charge for the use of our adaptive cycling equipment.
If costs are a barrier, please get in touch — we can discretely and respectfully explore possible options for support, though we must also ensure ARC remains sustainable as a charity.
Geographical and transport barriers:
Where possible, we run rides in different locations to reach more people.
We aim to reduce travel requirements where we can and make our sessions accessible to a wider community.
Respect for Leadership and Safety on Rides
Riders — and anyone who accompanies them — share responsibility for the safety and wellbeing of the whole group.
This includes:
Reading all pre-ride information, including kit lists, equipment notes, and activity details
Understanding that group rides are different to solo rides — leaders set the pace, structure, and safety boundaries
Riding within your own limits and within the guidance provided by ARC leaders
Respecting other riders, keeping group spacing, and maintaining awareness
Not riding ahead or outside the remit set by the leaders
Taking unnecessary risks may seem like it affects only you, but it increases risk for the group and potentially for mountain rescue teams who may have to respond.
Respect for equipment:
Our adaptive equipment is limited and essential to what we do. Misuse or damage can cause a ride to end early and means other riders may lose access to that equipment until it can be repaired or replaced.
We’d Love You to Join Us
Whether you’re completely new to adaptive off-road cycling or already an experienced rider, we would love for you to come along, get involved, and give it a try. ARC is a friendly, supportive community where you can build confidence, enjoy the outdoors, and share great experiences with others. If you’re curious, unsure, or simply want to see what adaptive riding is all about, please reach out — we’re here to help you get started. Your journey with ARC can begin with just one message, and we can’t wait to welcome you on a ride soon.