Specially adapted bikes have been a hit with visitors to Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise (CJCE) Centre.

Bennett’s Bikes, named after late CJCE trustee Eric Bennett, offer adaptable bikes to suit riders of every ability and confidence level, including wheelchair users.

Derek King, of CJCE, said the bikes were a huge success when the centre hired them and ran sessions, but that the dream was to have their own bikes on site.

Another great morning at Bennetts Bikes in partnership with East Ayrshire Vibrant Communities

Posted by Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise on Thursday, 12 May 2022

He said: “In partnership with Vibrant Communities, we offer weekly sessions that enable children and adults with special needs to cycle or participate in cycling in a safe environment, using our specially adapted bikes.

“Before lockdown, Gary Seymour, of Active Schools Additional Support Needs, worked closely with myself and trustee Eric Bennett to bring the cycling programme to Cumnock.

“Sadly, Eric passed away at the start of lockdown due to ill health but he has left a huge legacy at Cumnock with many other projects.

Cumnock Chronicle: All smiles on the bikes (Image- East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership)All smiles on the bikes (Image- East Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership)

“We continued to strive to make the cycling programme a reality and, when it happened, we thought what better way to remember Eric than to name them Bennett’s Bikes.”

Bennett’s Bikes are available in a tricycle, Fun-2-g-Go Buddy Bike and a Veloplus.

The bike sessions currently run every Thursday from 10am-12pm at Townhead Community Sports Hub, Cumnock, at a cost of £1.

To find out more about Bennett’s Bikes and Cumnock Juniors Community Enterprise Centre, visit their Facebook page.