A KEIGHLEY mum has spoken of how a hugely-successful bike scheme has helped her three children – who are all on the autism spectrum.

Adele Reed-Griffiths had been keen for some time for the youngsters to learn to cycle, but they’d struggled to take to it.

However, things changed when she was made aware through a support group of the Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries scheme.

She met a qualified instructor at the AWARE Bike Library in Addingham, Chris Armstrong, who is adept at helping youngsters with special needs.

Now, all three of Adele’s children – James, 16, Euan, 13, and seven-year-old Gabriella – are proficient cyclists.

And their story has been featured in a short video outlining the benefits of the bike libraries.

“Life is very challenging with three children on the autism spectrum,” said Adele.

“When the opportunities arise for them to get out, I jump at the chance.

“Chris, through the Yorkshire Bank bike library, has been able to get all three of them cycling.

“We couldn’t possibly have done that before. We’d battled, we’d tried, but we could never get them cycling.

“A door opened and it is like a new lease of life.

“It was fantastic for us as parents too – we got the chance to meet others in a similar position.”

Chris said he was delighted that Adele’s children and others were progressing so well thanks to the initiative.

“We provide a relaxed atmosphere where the kids are able to learn at their own pace without any pressures,” he added.

“It’s great to see some of them, who have perhaps been ‘written off’ and told that they are not going to be able to ride a bike, become very skilled riders.

“It’s fantastic that they develop independence which some of us take for granted.”

There are now 49 Yorkshire Bank bike libraries across the region, with the aim of giving every child in Yorkshire free access to a bicycle or the opportunity to learn bike maintenance.

For more details, visit bikelibraries.yorkshire.com.

To view the video, go to youtube.com/watch?v=JO6F9DDtpfw.