Side-by-side tandem is donated to Autism Hub

The bike is specially designed to allow two people to ride side by side, making it ideal for those with physical disabilities or learning difficulties who may need assistance or support while cycling.

The donation was made by the group Only Fools and Donkeys, which supports local charities working with people with learning difficulties and physical disabilities.

It will help the eight residents of the Autism Hub – a community for individuals living with autism, next door to Nouvelle Maraitaine.

One of the people who will be using it will be Karen Hayson’s 34-year-old daughter Harri.

Ms Hayson said her daughter had previously lived off-island for several years, where she had been able to cycle.

But since moving into the Autism Hub there had not been the facilities, until now.

‘I’m quite excited to see her have a go on it,’ she said, adding that her daughter would want to see a few other people use it and see how it worked, before she was comfortable to use it. But she she knew her daughter would want to use it soon.

‘Because there is a person alongside you, you are not alone, so that gives them confidence.’

The bike is the first of its kind in Guernsey. Only Fools and Donkeys founder Ray Smart said the charity was delighted to make the donation. ‘We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of cycling as well as experience the freedom and joy it brings,’ he said.

‘We are excited to see how the residents take to the bike and enjoy the experiences.’

The bike was funded through the efforts of the Mules and the Mule Aquitaine charity bike ride, which was staged last summer in France, said Only Fools and Donkeys co-founder Mike Marshall.

‘We like to support one or two large scale projects from each of our rides, and the combination of cycling and the challenges the residents of the Autism Hub face made this an obvious choice for us,’ he added.