Giving all Children the Opportunity to Ride the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Ten year old Mitchel has cerebral palsy.  He can’t stand or walk independently but on Sunday October 20, 2013 he rode the Sydney Harbour Bridge on his own customised Freedom Wheels bike.

Riley also has cerebral palsy.  His legs and arms are severely affected by this condition and he normally moves around using a wheelchair.  But on Sunday October 18, 2015 he rode his customised Freedom Wheels bike over the bridge.

Seven year old Matthew has spina bifida. His lack of balance and limited core strength means he struggles to ride a standard bike.  But on Sunday October 16, 2016 he rode his Freedom Wheels bike over the iconic bridge with his family and Matt Keane MP, Member for Hornsby.

In 2017, Freedom Wheels will be providing other children with disabilities the chance to ride across one of Sydney’s most famous landmarks.  Spring Financial Group Spring Cycle is proud to once again say that we have partnered with Freedom Wheels!  They believe that every child – even with a disability – deserves the chance to ride a bike. At Spring Cycle we believe that every child deserves the chance to ride across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

“Freedom Wheels does an inspirational job giving children with disabilities independence.  To see children that are unable to walk be given this independence on a bike is why they are our charity partner this year”, commented Craig Meagher, Bicycle NSW CEO. “Children have always ridden free in the Spring Cycle but with the help of Freedom Wheels, all children can ride in this iconic event.”

“We’re thrilled to be the charity partner for the Spring Financial Group Spring Cycle so people who love their bikes can fundraise to share that joy with kids with disabilities. Cycling gives so much more than just exercise and we appreciate riders making their ride count to support more kids to ride for the very first time,” Danny Kapustin, CEO, Freedom Wheels.

Freedom Wheels are the only charity in NSW that design and build custom bikes for children with disabilities.  They give children the independence they or their families never thought was possible.

Building custom bikes for children with disabilities enables them to play on two wheels just like their friends.  Many of these children cannot walk but they can ride. These special bikes are designed to suit the individual child’s age, height, weight and physical and cognitive abilities.   Each bike is individually designed and built for the child.

With the help of Spring Cycle riders, Freedom Wheels has been able to offer free assessments and subsidise costs of the bike.  This is the help those families need who often are facing overwhelming financial hurdles.  Each child deserves the equal opportunity and affordability of a bike.

This year, Spring Cycle riders will once again be given the opportunity to generously help Freedom Wheels and get every child pedalling.