Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Services, Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers recently unveiled the findings of Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland’s “Recycle Mobility Programme Impact Report 2026” at Government buildings.
The report, which was conducted by Dr Mary Collins and Dr Padraic Dunne of the RCSI (Royal College Surgeons Ireland) on behalf of Variety Ireland, outlines the mental and physical benefits as well as the financial savings it has for all stakeholders who are investing in this programme.
Variety Ireland’s “Recycle Mobility Programme” provides subsistence funding towards the cost of special mobility bikes and trikes for people with mobility issues across Ireland. This allows families and disability groups to access funding so both children and adults with mobility issues can have equal access to cycling.
The Programme is a Variety Ireland initiative which is kindly supported by the HSE, The Department of Children, Disability and Equality and The Department of Transport.
The Recycle Mobility Programme was first launched Summer 2021 with the kind support of then Minister of State at The Department of Children, Disability and Equality, Anne Rabbitte and Minister of Transport Eamon Ryan.
The first Recycle Mobility Impact Report was published in 2022, with research conducted by Dr Jolanta Burke of the RCSI (Royal College Surgeons Ireland). This initial report showed that the Recycle Mobility Programme promotes equal access to cycling within the family unit and improves both the mental and physical well-being of both the user and other family members by up to 87.5%
Fast Forward to 2026 and The Recycle Mobility Programme Impact Report 2026 shows the programme evidentially contributes to improving the mental and physical well-being of people with mobility issues and other family members by up to 87.5 to 90%, as well as ensuring people have equal access to cycling and inclusion so they can be included in cycling activities with other family members or groups.
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Return On Investment Of Public Funding
The combined return on investment for government departments supporting the Recycle Mobility Programme presents a minimum of €5 per €1 invested for new entrants into the programme with this rising to €8–€20 over 3–5 years. Since its launch in August 2022, The Recycle Mobility Programme has delivered over 800 new and upcycled mobility bikes to people with mobility issues across Ireland. The cost of a special mobility bike can range from €3500 to €10,000 + based on the individuals requirement. Each bike is designed to cater for the user’s own needs.
5 Keys Points Offering Savings To Government Funding
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Improves physical and mental wellbeing – RCSI research found that the programme enhances both physical activity and emotional wellbeing for children with disabilities and their immediate family members, with improvements in wellbeing measured up to 87.5-90%. The special mobility bikes provides daily physiotherapy for people with mobility issues. This offers financial savings in areas surround physiotherapy and mental health & emotional wellbeing therapy.
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Promotes independence and inclusion – Specially adapted mobility trikes allow children who cannot use conventional bikes to experience cycling, boosting confidence, independence, and participation in outdoor activities with peers and family.
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Strengthens family connections – By enabling shared outdoor activities, the programme supports increased family interaction, bonding, and social inclusion, benefiting both the child and their family.
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Supports sustainability and reuse – Trikes that children outgrow are returned, refurbished, and adapted for other children, preventing waste, reducing landfill, and making the programme environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
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Expands access and community engagement – The upcycling model and partnerships (including cycling hubs and inclusion centres) help more children across Ireland access adapted cycling opportunities, fostering community ties and inclusive recreational spaces. Minister Chambers funded and launched Europe’s first automated Greenway Disability Cycling Hub in Mulranny, Westport, Co Mayo in 2024 with Variety Ireland when Minister Chambers was Minister of State at The Department of Transport
The Future
Thanks to the continued support of Dr Aoife O’Donaghue at the HSE, Minister Emer Higgins and Minister Norma Foley at The Department of Children, Disability and Equality along with Minister Darragh O’Brien and Minister Sean Canney at The Department of Transport. Variety Ireland’s Recycle Mobility Programme is now expanding into other areas of support which will see the introduction of static and mobile cycling units across Ireland in throughout Ireland in 2026/2027 which promotes inclusion cycling for disability groups.
