19/06/2026
Congratulations to Mike Thomas on being awarded an MBE for his service and contribution to adaptive cycling! 👏
Mike is one of our brilliant volunteers. He got into handcycling after a spinal injury 35 years ago and has now been doing it for over 25 years. He says it’s “the best activity I’ve found, it gives you freedom and real independence whilst keeping you fit.”
After retirement, Mike started volunteering at Saughton Park, where he currently supports with our Thistle Outdoors project every Thursday afternoon. Mike has had a big impact in sharing the joy of cycling, even leading others to get their own handcycles and ride with family and friends!
As co-chair of Adaptive Riders Collective, Mike also shares that he sees this award as "Recognition of what ARC has done to raise the profile of adaptive cycling with the public and with mainstream cyclists as well as for those volunteers who spend their time experiencing the freedom adaptive cycling offers."
Talking about why he does it, Mike said: “It's a real buzz to see the reactions some participants have when they get off the beaten track sometimes for the first time ever, and others for the first time since a life-changing accident. The feeling of freedom is part of the overall mental health benefits that participants get."
A huge thank you as well to Julie Hooper, one of our other volunteers, who spent months putting together Mike’s nomination. Mike's fellow volunteers described him in the application as "Hugely knowledgeable about all aspects of bicycles and bike riding, and this, along with his excellent people skills, means that he fills the cyclists with confidence and enthusiasm. This invariably results in them achieving goals that would normally be out of their reach. He is a natural leader and a wonderful teacher."
Everyone at Thistle has so much praise for Mike, participants and volunteers alike. From all of us, congratulations, Mike. We’re so lucky to have you!
