Images by Pete Scullion. Words by Sarah-Jane Brown
Adaptive Riders Collective & Trash Free Trails: A Natural Partnership
Since 2022, the Adaptive Riders Collective (ARC) has been creating opportunities for people with disabilities to explore the outdoors through adaptive cycling. ARC is more than just a cycling group, they are building a peer led community, focused on access and inclusion into the mainstream cycling world. Based in Scotland, ARC runs everything from introductory ‘come and try’ sessions in urban locations to full-day adventures on some of the country’s most scenic trails.
Last year, ARC took another step in strengthening that community by becoming a Trash Free Trails (TFT) Community Hub. The collaboration was a natural fit so we sat down with Jane Wilkinson to see how their work intersects with TFT’s mission.
A Shared Ethos
For ARC, the decision to partner with TFT wasn’t just about picking up litter - it was about embedding environmental responsibility into what they already do. “What connected us was the whole approach,” says Jane Wilkinson from ARC. “The language, the ethos, the way Trash Free Trails frames environmental care - it all just made sense with how we work.”
Out on the trails, the impact of single-use pollution is obvious. “Scotland is such a biodiverse place, and you quickly see how even a small amount of single-use pollution can have a big impact. When you’re immersed in these landscapes, it’s impossible not to feel that responsibility.”
Adapting Trail Cleaning to Fit Adaptive Cycling
Like everything at ARC, making trail cleaning accessible took some creative problem-solving. Traditional litter picking often involves stopping and getting off the bike - something that’s not always easy or comfortable for adaptive cyclists. So ARC developed a simple but effective solution: hessian potato sacks attached to the bikes! This way riders could collect and store litter as they go, keeping the movement steady and avoiding the cold, and to top it off the sacks were durable, reusable, and perfectly suited to the job.
Then came the ‘Dash for Trash.’ Originally a spontaneous bit of fun during a session, it quickly turned into a full-fledged activity. Courtesy of some seasonal Olympic inspiration they were able to create an engaging way to keep the trails clean while staying on the move. “It wasn’t planned, but it worked so well,” says Jane. “We all ended up in hysterics and laughing as if it was like a great big relay race.”
Giving Back to the Trails That Give So Much
For many ARC riders, getting out on the trails isn’t just about exercise - it’s about connection. Many participants rely on their own vehicles to access the countryside, as public transport and urban infrastructure often fall short in accessibility. So when ARC became a TFT Community Hub, it provided a new way for them to give back to the places they love.
One of the most rewarding parts of the initiative has been seeing new riders experience the outdoors in a way they hadn’t before. For some, ARC’s sessions are their first real opportunity to explore wild places. For others, it’s a way to return to activities they once enjoyed but thought they’d lost. The combination of adaptive cycling and environmental care offers a fresh perspective - one that we see deepens their connection to nature and to the community around them.
Building Connections Beyond the Trails’
Becoming a TFT Community Hub hasn’t just strengthened ARC’s sense of environmental responsibility - it’s also helped forge new relationships. It’s been a brilliant way to connect with other groups who are passionate about looking after the environment, Jane explains. “We’ve had conversations with organisations we might not have crossed paths with otherwise. And that’s the great thing about this - it’s not just about the trails, it’s about bringing people together.”
There’s also the impact on passersby. “The amount of people who stop and ask what we’re doing is amazing. Whether they want to get involved or they just walk away thinking about it, it’s sparking conversations and inspiring more people to take action in their own way.”
Making It Work for Your Community
For other groups considering becoming a TFT Community Hub, Jane’s advice is simple: “Make it work for you. Adapt it to fit your community, your way of doing things. Keep it fun, keep it positive, and don’t worry if there’s not much rubbish - every single piece you pick up makes a difference.”
ARC’s journey with Trash Free Trails is proof that looking after the places we love doesn’t have to feel like hard work. It can be playful, it can be meaningful, and above all, it can bring people together. Because together, we can make a difference—one person, one trail at a time.
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