How cycling can improve the wellbeing of people living with dementia

There are also many ways in to cycling (and walking) that need to be placed in the limelight In Glasgow I was using my bus pass (Saltire Card in Scotland) to hire the public bike hire cycles (and I have also enabled it to hire any of the thousands of car club cars across the UK, and in Glasgow I get 50% discount on local trains and the Subway (Underground - opened 1896) With public bike hire now in many cities (Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Cardiff, Bournemouth, Milton Keynes, Leicester, Inverness, Fort William, Dundee ....) we have a brilliant population health deliverable asset Older and disabled people with their bus passes, can hire a fully serviced (ie safe to ride) cycle - many with electric assist - to make local trips, and access bus, coach & train services. Every hire is also logged, and so some population health measurement can also be delivered (with users consent) - see how often a person cycles, and then check their basic details (Pulse, Breathing rates, BP, weight etc) - I know from a few 'incidents' that when I've rolled in for patching up, the doctors ask how my pulse, breathing (and recovery rate) sits below 60, and my blood pressure so low, something that all building exercise into their daily lives seem to show There are many community cycle centres - with the excellent US handbook (1994) 'Tools For Life' (Karen Overton & George Babiak) which describes how to set up Youth Bike Education centres and engage those idle hands before the Devil finds work for them - working creatively these groups also bridge the age gap - I recall having a 102 year old founder (& his 90 year old pal) of a local cycling group with a crowd of primary school kids hanging on his every word at an event we had to celebrate the completion of a cycle route I tweet as BCCletts if anyone wants to contact H - (as I've been known since 1971)

Does Peter cycle on his own? My partner lost his licence because of dementia and now wants a bike to run his errands I’m afraid he’ll drive into traffic. I still work and can’t be with him

Dementia is very scary

How is Peter doing these days? Keeping strong and present I hope. My dad was called Peter and he lost his battle with dementia in 2017.

Forging ahead into the light , fresh air is so good for us and the wind in your face must really make you feel so alive Brilliant Post Peter #rememberwhenltd love the penny farthing bike .. don’t think I could ride one though .

We are all so very proud of you

I used to be a distance runner( did a few marathons) but now am a walker. I walk for an hour or so every day and I find it helps with my memory loss! I got turned around one day on a long run and had to ask for directions, whuich was very humbling and scary!

Thank you for your words of inspiration Peter. I wish you many more happy miles cycling.

I have been for a walk this afternoon, about 2.6 miles. Normally, like Peter, I would cycle, and go further, but only had a hour available. Living now in a bungalow in retirement I am well aware that I'm not getting quite as much exercise as when I was cycling to and climbing stairs at work, and at home. I hope my walk today will keep my brain, and muscles, active for that bit longer.

Your are an inspiration to others living with dementia, showing what can be achieved with determination and support from family and friends

Well done to Peter and his cycling companions for all he does and shares ,helping people with Dementia.