NRC announces collaboration with British Cycling and ICE Trikes | Latest news

The country’s first NHS National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) has announced a major new collaboration with British Cycling and cycle manufacturer ICE Trikes, designed to enable patients with life-changing illness and injuries to discover a new sport and benefit their recovery journey.

As part of the collaboration, ICE Trikes has gifted three hand‑cycles and three adaptive trikes exclusively for patient use at the NRC. In addition, a dedicated British Cycling Rehabilitation Coach will be based at the centre, funded by the Peter Harrison Foundation and with the support of Nottingham Hospitals Charity. Recruitment to this newly created role will begin in the near future.

The NRC is a 70-bed, state-of-the-art specialist rehabilitation centre for NHS patients who have experienced a life-changing illness or injury and will be run and staffed by Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (NUH).

It is situated on 365-acre rural estate where it will share facilities with the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre (DMRC), including a bespoke accessible cycle track through a forest area of the estate.

Patients will be able to use the gifted hand‑cycles and trikes throughout the estate, including on a bespoke accessible cycle track that winds through woodland areas of the site. Cycling will form part of patients’ tailored rehabilitation programmes during their stay, which typically ranges from two weeks to three months.

Beyond the immediate rehabilitation benefits, this collaboration aims to help patients to discover an accessible sport that they can continue once they return home or into their communities.

There is also long‑term ambition to identify and nurture natural talent, potentially supporting future pathways into competitive cycling, including para‑cycling and the ParalympicsGB programme.

Sandy Walsh, NRC Head of Operations, said:

“We are delighted to be partnering with British Cycling and ICE Trikes and are very grateful for the generous gifts from both companies and the Peter Harrison Foundation, with the support of Nottingham Hospitals Charity. Without these organisations coming together, this opportunity would not be possible.

“By working with British Cycling and ICE Trikes, we will be able to offer our patients the chance to experience freedom, confidence and enjoyment through accessible cycling, often at a point in their lives when they are rebuilding both physically and emotionally.

“The hand-cycles and trikes will play a vital role in supporting rehabilitation, helping patients to improve strength, mobility and wellbeing in a way that feels motivating and empowering. Just as importantly, this collaboration opens the door to life beyond the NRC – enabling people to discover a sport they can continue in their own communities, and in some cases even pursue competitively.

“We’re excited about the long-term impact this collaboration will have, not only on recovery outcomes but on inspiring patients to reimagine what’s possible for their future at what is likely to be one of the toughest times they will face in their lives.”

Amy Gardner, Sport and Participation Director of British Cycling, said:

“The opportunity to have a British Cycling Coach within the new National Rehabilitation Centre is genuinely transformative. By being embedded as part of the multi‑disciplinary team, our coach will work alongside clinicians and medical professionals to ensure cycling is incorporated into personalised rehabilitation plans. 

“Through British Cycling’s national network of clubs, Limitless and our participation programmes, we will create supported pathways that help individuals transition from clinical rehabilitation into regular community cycling.

“We want cycling to remain part of people’s lives long after they leave the National Rehabilitation Centre – not just as a form of exercise but as a tool for connection, independence, and overall wellbeing.

“Our collective ambition extends far beyond a single hospital. What we are building here is a blueprint – one that can be replicated across all health, rehabilitation and recovery settings throughout the country”. 

Adrian Davies, Managing Director of ICE Trikes, said:

“ICE Trikes are proud to be partnering with National Rehabilitation Centre and British Cycling on this groundbreaking project which puts adaptive cycling at the heart of rehabilitation, recovery and wellbeing.

We have always believed in the power of cycling to transform lives and this initiative allows us to bring our UK designed and manufactured trikes to those who can benefit most.

“By combining expert coaching, our innovative equipment and research-driven programs, we hope to inspire confidence, support continued participation and help individuals achieve meaningful change through cycling.

“Our trikes play a valuable role in rehabilitation, recovery and long-term health by providing a safe, comfortable and accessible way exercise.

“By enabling individuals to improve cardiovascular fitness, strengthen muscles and regain independence at their own pace, ICE Trikes offer an effective and enjoyable pathway back to health and wellbeing.”

Nigel Gregory, Chief Executive of Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said:

"We're proud to be supporting the Peter Harrison Foundation, ICE Trikes and British Cycling to help to make this innovative new role at the NRC possible.

“We know the importance of exercise in rehabilitation, and as a cyclist myself I understand how enjoyable — yet challenging — cycling can be.

“We hope this new role, alongside this fantastic accessible cycling equipment, will enable more patients to build ability and confidence during their time at the NRC."