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Prior to being a full time wheelchair user I was an avid cyclist, holidaying and cycling in France just bliss. (Just 5 years ago part of my work for the National Trust involved annual inspections of lead on two church roofs in South Derbyshire)

For healths sake we are recommended to walk thousands of steps a day! And if you cant walk?

Hand cycling is the only way I have been able to get my heart going (GP advised exercise to lower my cholesterol and blood pressure) never a problem prior to being a wheelchair user, and be out in the country side with some independence enjoying with others walkers, cyclist, riders and the disabled some of the Derbyshire I love.

Shame about some the restrictive barriers! I have never seen any form of conflict between cyclists and the disabled, in my case cyclists do stop to look at the wheelchair attachment, and young children want one! I am very lucky I live in a small hamlet, Ingleby; with the Trent just one field away and far reaching views which I hope I never have to move from but the MS may mean one day I have too.

For those disabled in towns it has must be magical to have some unrestricted access to the just some of the countryside. Shame some see the DDA as something that has come and gone!

Phil Ridgarde.