My Life with Paul Birchall: I help blind people feel the joy of cycling
Paul Birchall and Jeremy Brosnan of No Limits Just Pedel cycling around the town park in Mallow, Co. Cork. Picture: David Creedon
While bikes have always been a huge part of my life, it was only in recent years that I discovered the freedom they can offer people with disabilities.
For 12 years, I owned a bicycle shop called Pi Cycles in Mallow. Through my work, I had the chance to meet some incredible people. The idea for No Limits Just Pedal was born more than two years ago, when my friend Donal, who is blind, decided he wanted to experience cycling again.
Donal wasn’t born blind but ended up losing his sight to a progressive condition. He didn’t just get on with life but continued living it to the full. I took him for a spin on a tandem bicycle, setting in motion a conversation with the community health nurse in Mallow about visually impaired cyclists.
The next thing I knew, I was being invited to give a talk at a meeting for visually impaired people. We continued to build on these spins until Vision Ireland gave us the chance to run a tandem pilot course. The pilot is the cyclist at the front of the tandem bike, while the person behind is referred to as the stoker.
It’s important to differentiate between a passenger and a stoker, since the latter has to put in the same level of effort as the pilot.
Training to become a pilot is an experience I will never forget. Each pilot has a chance to step into a stoker’s shoes by pedalling from the back while blindfolded. Communication is key when tandem cycling. Experiencing life from a stoker’s point of view really brings you into that world. It was strange because, whether I am in a car or on a bicycle, I am always the driver. Initially, I was very frightened, which made me realise the level of trust required to make a connection like this work.
The great thing is that Donal keeps coming back. He has even suggested a long-term goal of cycling to Lourdes. The people I come across have tremendous get-up-and-go. It puts life into perspective.
It’s nice to see how beneficial No Limits Just Pedal has been for the families of cyclists too. Donal’s sister has now trained as a tandem pilot so they can cycle together. Another woman trained to be a pilot so she can cycle with her brother, who has Down syndrome, on the back of the bike.
No Limits, Just Pedal has more or less grown organically over the last two years. We purposely chose not to advertise at the start because we didn’t want to be unable to meet demand.
There are currently 10 trained pilots involved with the group. One of the most important parts of this initiative is its social aspect. This is not a bicycle race but a chance to enjoy life while staying active and healthy.
When you’re cycling with someone who is visually impaired, you are constantly trying to paint a vivid picture of what’s ahead. It makes you aware of the things you never noticed before and leaves you with a newfound appreciation of your surroundings. For stokers with a visual impairment, it’s an opportunity to leave the white cane behind and not have to stand out for a while.
The conversation is often different to the one you would have with a fully sighted person. For instance, instead of bringing up a television programme that aired the night before, I’ll ask about a musician’s new album. On a tandem bike, you are very connected because the pedals must go together, so if one person is pedalling, then the other must pedal at the same speed.
Adapted cycling isn’t just beneficial for people with visual impairments. Included in our group is a hand cyclist who arrives in his wheelchair and transfers to a bike, which he pedals with his hands. People of all ages come to cycle with us. I have one friend with Down syndrome who is 47 years of age. The only experience he had before cycling with us was pedalling on a little green tractor at the age of three. While he is not visually impaired, he does have his limitations. We have tricycles here that have considerably improved his independence. All our members have varying abilities and we try our best to adapt as needed. Many people with disabilities struggle with weight issues due to limited mobility. It makes exercise all the more important.
The most rewarding part is the smile. Some never dreamt it was even possible to cycle. One of the main questions I’m always asked before a first lesson is “are you sure this will work?” My reply is usually the same, “no, but we’ll try.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
