Lord George and Newscaster Jon Snow, (better known for his bright coloured ties and socks) together with Lady Mary Holborow are backing 'Wheels for All', which will provide adapted bikes and accessible routes for disabled and able bodied cyclists. 

Cornwall is to get the new facility and will be the only county in the entire south west to have its own Wheels for All centre to allow people with disabilities to enjoy the benefits of cycling.  Elm Farm Cycle Centre near Portreath has been chosen as the base for Wheels for All, for it’s ample equipment storage facilities and parking, existing cycle training grounds, and professional instructors.  Based on the flat, largely off-road Coast to Coast cycle trail, part of the new Mineral Tramways cycle network, riders of all abilities will be able to take part in specialist training, and explore Cornwall’s purpose built cycle trails.

Lady Mary Holborow, Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, is very supportive. “I admire those involved for their drive and enthusiasm and I wish it every success. Cornwall is a wonderful county and I’m so pleased that it will lead the region in providing a cycling facility that directly addresses issues of equality and diversity. Our motto is for 'One and All' and this is a perfect example of that noble aspiration being put into action.”

St Tudy resident and former Governor of the Bank of England, Eddie George, also endorses Wheels for All and says: “I remember when the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls, visited the Sir James Smith School in Camelford and he specifically referred to the provision of sport outside of schools that must benefit the community as a whole, including those with disabilities. The Wheels for All Centre in Cornwall is a wonderful way of addressing that objective and I wholeheartedly support the project. I hope that the commercial sector in Cornwall will feel able to contribute to the funding of these specialised bikes."

Jon Snow, the Channel 4 newscaster and President of the CTC (Cyclist’s Touring Club), when approached about the project by Wendy Creed, whom he had presented an award to 18 months earlier, said: “It looks and sounds amazing., I'd be honoured indeed to be your patron but am very conscious that it will be very hard indeed to get down to participate .... best wishes, Jon”

Its opening is planned for 1st April 2009 but before then funds need to be raised to pay for a selection of specially crafted bikes and related safety equipment to add to the two powered trikes already donated to the scheme. The machines can cost between £1,500 and £4,000 per model. The cycles allow, for example, a recumbent bike allowing people to pedal with their arms or for a couple to ride two abreast on the same machine. The latter is ideal for a carer who wants to enjoy the experience with the person they care for and includes those who are either deaf or blind. 

The bikes are very expensive and that is where the local businesses come in - any company or individual donating the cost of or sponsoring a bike (including maintenance costs), would then get a plate on that particular bike, promoting their business.  There will be a nominal charge for the use of the bikes to maintain them and eventually replace them.

Wheels for All Cornwall will be operated as a partnership. Charlie Allen, who developed a similar project in south east London (Cycling for All) will be working with Bikeability accredited instructor Wendy Creed and Elm Farm Cycle Centre Instructors to get the centre ready.