Cycling the Camel Trail for Everyone
How Bridge Bike Hire is Making it Possible
There's a moment that happens on the Camel Trail that we never tire of seeing. It's the moment someone who thought cycling wasn't possible for them anymore — or perhaps never had been — sets off along the estuary path for the first time. The look on their face, and the faces of the people with them, says everything.
At Bridge Bike Hire, making that moment happen for as many people as possible isn't a side note to what we do. It's central to it.
Nicole Cannon and her lovely Children heading off on their first Camel Trail adventure together
Award-Winning Accessible and Inclusive Tourism
In 2025, Bridge Bike Hire was proud to receive the Bronze Award for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism at the Cornwall Tourism Awards — recognition that reflects years of genuine investment in equipment, training and the kind of thoughtful, patient customer service that makes all the difference when someone has specific needs.
We don't just have accessible bikes available. We've built an entire approach around making sure every visitor — regardless of age, ability or mobility — can get out onto the Camel Trail and have a brilliant day.
The Bikes That Make It Possible
Our accessibility range is the most comprehensive on the Camel Trail, and includes:
The Ice Trike offer stability and fun - try keep your teenager off them!
The VanRaam Wheelchair Bike — A specially designed bike that carries a wheelchair user at the front, with a pilot cycling behind. It uses front wheel steering which, as one of our customers put it, takes only a couple of minutes to get used to — and then the trail opens up in a way many families never thought possible again.
Recumbent Ice Trikes — Low, stable and comfortable, these three-wheeled recumbent bikes are perfect for riders who need a lower centre of gravity or find a traditional bike seat difficult. They turn heads on the trail for all the right reasons.
The trailer trike give stability and a bit of independence
Trikes — Upright three-wheeled bikes offering stability and confidence for riders who find balancing on two wheels challenging.
Trailer Trikes and Trailer Bikes — For children who aren't quite ready to pedal independently, or who need a little extra support, these attach to an adult bike and let the whole family ride together.
Child Seats and Trailers — For the very youngest members of the family, keeping them safe, comfortable and part of the adventure from the start.
What Our Customers Say
The best way to understand what accessible hire at Bridge Bike Hire really means is to hear it from the families who've experienced it.
Franzeska hired our VanRaam wheelchair bike and trike for her son, who is wheelchair bound. She and her family cycled from Wadebridge to Padstow, had lunch, and cycled back.
Franzeska’s family enjoying a cycle on the Camel Trail
"Fabulous day out," she said simply — and sometimes simple says it all.
For Lindsey, the wheelchair bike meant something even deeper. Her husband became a wheelchair user and she'd wondered whether family cycling trips were a thing of the past.
"We were able to cycle again as a family," she told us. "Special memories made on the beautiful Camel Trail."
Glen took his Mum on the Camel Trail and they loved it.
Nicole's son attracted admiring comments all the way along the trail from fellow visitors struck by the sight of the wheelchair bike in action.
"If you know anyone who has a family member in a wheelchair, book it," she urged. "Make it possible for them to cycle along the Camel Trail."
For Gemma, it had been a long time since her disability had allowed her to join the family on bikes.
"It is a long time since we have all been able to go out as a family on our bikes," she said. "Everyone was so friendly and I really appreciate you offering this service so those of us who are less able can still enjoy the wonderful Camel Trail."
Alison hired the wheelchair bike for her father-in-law and found the team — and in particular Jack — patient, helpful and genuinely invested in making the day a success. They were out longer than planned.
"My father-in-law absolutely loved it," she told us.
And Michael, who visited with his less able-bodied partner, praised the team's generosity with their time and their thoughtful approach to helping the couple find exactly the right bike.
"A fantastic approach to customer service," he wrote.
The Team Behind The Bike Hire
Our little team ready to welcome you to our bike hire
Reading these reviews, one name comes up again and again — Jack. And alongside him Woody and the rest of the Bridge Bike Hire team. What runs through every single accessibility review isn't just the quality of the equipment — it's the patience, the time taken, the absence of any rush or awkwardness.
That's not accidental. It's a reflection of the culture we've worked hard to build — one where every visitor is welcomed properly, every question is answered fully, and nobody feels like an inconvenience.
Our team have also undertaken basic Makaton training to ensure we can communicate in some way with all visitors and warmly with visitors who use Makaton signing — because inclusive really does mean everyone.
The Camel Trail Itself - Is Accessible For Everyone
The Camel Trail is, in many ways, a perfect fit for accessible cycling. It's completely flat, entirely traffic-free and runs through genuinely beautiful scenery alongside the Camel Estuary. There are no steep climbs, no road crossings to worry about and no time pressure — you go at your own pace, stop when you want to and turn back whenever you're ready.
As the only Camel Trail bike hire with direct, traffic-free access to the trail, returning to us at the end of your ride is simple and stress-free — you ride straight back without navigating any roads, which matters especially when you're managing specialist equipment or supporting a family member with additional needs.
Come and See Us, Or Give Us A Call, We Can Help You Plan Your Day
If you're planning a visit and want to talk through the options before you arrive, please do give us a call. We're always happy to discuss exactly which bike would work best for your family members, answer any questions about the equipment and make sure everything is ready for when you arrive.
There are no silly questions. There is only the ride ahead — and we'd love to help you take it.
👉 Find out more about our full accessibility range on our Accessibility Page
Bridge Bike Hire, Wadebridge — the original Camel Trail bike hire since 1983. Proud Bronze Award winners, Cornwall Tourism Awards — Accessible and Inclusive Tourism.
