WHEN mountain bike enthusiast Simon Pearson suffered a stroke seven years ago, he feared he would never cycle again.

But now the 39-year-old is back pedalling again and enjoying a remarkable new lease of life, thanks to a venture aimed at opening up Cycling to all.

Simon, of St Chad’s Wharf, off Bishopthorpe Road, was loaned a Triad Trike from York’s “bikes not barriers” programme, and says it has made a massive difference.

“It has revolutionised my life,” he said. “It is difficult to exaggerate what it’s like getting even just a part of your independence back.”

Simon was on a mountain biking holiday in the French Alps seven years ago when he suffered a sudden stroke.

He said he was born with a weaker-than-average artery, and said he believed the stroke was caused by a combination of the altitude and what he was doing.

“Post-stroke, I absolutely thought my days of riding a bike were over.

But my physio sent me a link to a website about ‘Get Cycling’ and I contacted them.”

The Get Cycling organisation is working in conjunction with Cycling City York to promote cycling across the city, and lent Simon the Triad trike for two weeks.

He said: “I already know I am going to buy it, because I love it. I am now riding the trike every single day, going all over York. I really do want to thank the Get Cycling team, who are running the programme, and Cycling City York for making it possible.

“You have one happy citizen here. I never thought I would be independently mobile again. The Get Cycling people guided me to a suitably cool-looking machine, made all the specialised adaptations, then picked me up from my home and delivered me and my new bike home again afterwards.”

Linda Capel, marketing group leader for Cycling City York, said: “One of the main aims of Cycling City York is to make cycling accessible to everyone and we’re really pleased to hear that the Bikes Not Barriers project is making a difference to people. Working in partnership with Get Cycling, we have more activities planned for the coming months.

Anyone who wants to find out how to get involved in Bikes Not Barriers can contact the Cycling City York team by emailing cycling.city@york.gov.uk or phoning Paul Ramskill on 01904 553372.