A First-of-Its-Kind Fully Inclusive Cycling Hub
Located in one of Dublin’s most socially and economically challenged communities, the Cycling Inclusion Centre of Excellence is designed to make cycling accessible to everyone—regardless of age, background, or ability.
Operated by Collinstown Park Sports Complex staff and DDLETB, the hub will offer free supervised access to a wide selection of mainstream bicycles and an extensive range of disability-adapted bikes suitable for riders with mobility challenges.
A key feature of the complex is its permanently designed inclusive cycling course, creating a safe environment where people with and without disabilities can learn and cycle together. This innovative approach ensures a fully integrated, empowering, and confidence-building experience for all users.
A Strong Public–Private Partnership
The development of the Cycling Inclusion Centre of Excellence has been made possible through collaborative funding support of:
- Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland
- Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB
- South Dublin County Council
- The HSE
- The Department of Children, Disability and Equality
- The Department of Transport
- TK Maxx, HomeSense Foundation
The Centre will offer a wide range of community-centred services, including:
- Adaptive bicycles for people with disabilities
- Training and safety programmes for new cyclists
- Community cycling events
- Sustainability and active-travel education initiatives
Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland and its partners remain committed to breaking down barriers, nurturing independence, and ensuring that everyone can experience the freedom and joy of cycling.
Launch Day Highlights
The opening celebrations brought together over 800 children from local schools, community groups, and disability organisations for a fun morning of cycling.
As part of the event, Aoife O’Donohue from the HSE, Minister Emer Higgins, and Minister Seán Canney unveiled the Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland “Recycle Mobility Programme Impact Report 2025 ”, conducted by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).
The Recycle Mobility Programme—supported by the HSE, the Departments of Children/Disability/Equality and Transport— provides subsistence funding towards the cost of specially adapted mobility trikes each year to individuals with mobility issues nationwide. The 2025 Report shows remarkable impact, highlighting:
- Up to 90% improvement in the physical and mental well-being for individuals and other family members and groups who have received a special mobility trike as part of the Recycle Mobility Programme.
- A minimum €5 return for every €1 invested by government stakeholders each year
- The programme delivers new and upcycled special mobility trikes to people with mobility issues across Ireland. Since its launch in the summer of 2022, The Recycle Mobility Programme has already delivered over 600 new and upcycled special mobility trikes and bikes to people with mobility issues across Ireland.
Helen Diamond, Centre Manager at Collinstown Park Sports Complex, said:
“This is a great day for people with additional needs in Dublin and surrounding areas who are looking to learn to cycle. The new cycling hub ensures everyone—regardless of age, ability, background, or income—can enjoy safe, accessible riding. It promotes equitable infrastructure, adaptive bikes, community support, and welcoming spaces. Inclusive cycling strengthens health, confidence, and connection, empowering more people to participate and creating vibrant, diverse cycling communities. We are so grateful to Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland, the HSE, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the Department of Transport, South Dublin County Council, and TK Maxx, HomeSense Foundation for partnering with us to make this Ireland’s first fully inclusive Cycling Inclusion Centre of Excellence.”
Aoife O’Donohue, Assistant National Director for Disability Services, HSE: “The Recycle Mobility Program is a strong example of how innovative strategies can provide support to children with disabilities across the country. By refurbishing and reusing mobility equipment, we ensure that families receive essential aids more quickly while maximising the use of valuable resources. Our partnership with Variety Ireland is helping children gain greater independence and confidence in their daily lives, and we look forward to expanding its impact even further in the years ahead.”
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Sean Canney commented “This new Centre of Excellence shows what inclusive cycling can achieve when communities and partners work together. It creates a safe, supportive space where people of all ages and abilities can learn, build confidence, and enjoy the freedom of cycling. As we expand active-travel options nationally, projects like this ensure that no one is left behind. I want to commend Variety Ireland, DDLETB, Collinstown Park Sports Complex and all partners for delivering a truly impactful facility.”
Minister of State at the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, Emer Higgins commented “This Centre of Excellence shows what’s possible when community groups, public bodies, councils, and local partners all pull in the same direction. When we work together, we can open doors for people of every age, background and ability to enjoy safe, accessible cycling. Inclusive cycling isn’t just about sport, it is about confidence, independence and giving people the autonomy to move in their own way. A huge well done to Variety Ireland, DDLETB, the Collinstown Sports Complex team, and all the partners. This is real partnership in action, and something to be very proud of. “
Trevor Gilligan Duputy Lord Mayor South Dublin County Council. It’s great to see should a vital facility like the Variety Children’s Charity & DDLETB Cycling Inclusion Centre of Excellence being introduced which is going to ensure children young adults with disabilities and non-disabilities, the opportunity to learn to cycle together in a specially designated cycling centre of excellence. The joys and benefits this is going to bring to so many people and groups in the local area is going to pronominal. Physical exercise and Inclusion play a major part in to contributing to people’s mental well-being and this Cycling Inclusion Centre of Excellence ticks all the boxes. It is also great to see so many government bodes collaborating through public and private partnership to ensures safe happy cycling for people in the Clondalkin and surrounding areas. It’s going to be a busy centre full of happy people
Kevin O’Brien of Variety – the Children’s Charity of Ireland added: “As a charity supporting people with additional needs across Ireland, we are proud to partner with the HSE, government departments, South Dublin County Council, TK Maxx, HomeSense Foundation, and DDLETB to make this Centre of Excellence a reality. This cycling school will make a real difference for people with mobility issues, offering a safe place to learn and enjoy cycling alongside family and friends. With continued support from our partners, we already have the wheels in motion to introduce more inclusive cycling schools like this across the country in 2026.”
Together, we are creating a more inclusive, active, and empowered future for all!
Find out More
Variety – the Children’s Charity with the support of the HSE, The Department of Children, Disability and Equality and The Department of Transport are going to be rolling out other centres like this across the county in 2026. If you are a cycling group or county council who would like to find out more about having Cycling Inclusion Centre of Excellence in your county. Please get in touch with us at info@varietyireland.org
To find out more on how to access Variety Children’s Charity & DDLETB Cycling Inclusion Centre of Excellence in Clondalkin, Dublin 22,
Contact : Helen Diamond Centre Manager
Telephone: 01 467 5755
