The National Association for Bikers with a Disability

14/07/2026

𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐀𝐁𝐃 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 - 𝟏𝟒𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

At a meeting on the 17th of June 2026, the National Committee and Trustees of the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD) made the difficult but necessary decision to temporarily suspend the processing of all adaptation grant applications, (effective from the date of this public announcement).

This action has become unavoidable due to the steady and significant reduction in income experienced by the NABD over recent years, which has now reached a level that directly threatens our ability to continue providing essential services and support for motorcyclists with disabilities.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐲
Like many UK charities, the NABD has experienced a significant and sustained decline in public donations. This trend has affected the entire charitable sector, particularly since the 2020 pandemic when:
• Many fundraising events were cancelled nationwide.
• Face to face community engagement dropped sharply and has never recovered to pre-pandemic levels.
• The ongoing shift toward a cashless society has severely reduced spontaneous giving.
• The ongoing cost of living crisis continues to place further pressure on the household budgets of members, supporters and possible donors.

Recent studies show that most UK charities have seen year on year reductions in donations since 2020, with many organisations reporting their lowest income levels in over a decade.

Unfortunately, the NABD has not been immune to these challenges.

In addition to the reduction in general donations the NABD is currently facing several other challenging issues, including:
• The constantly increasing cost of living.
• The loss of regular annual sponsorship from events that no longer exist.
• The catastrophic failure of the NABD online membership system in 2025*.
• The imminent sale of the industrial unit that has served as the NABD headquarters for the past 20-years.
• An under strength National Committee (currently five vacant posts).
• Health issues being faced by several of the remaining National Committee members.
Each of these issues have a tangible negative effect on the income of the NABD.

As a charity that relies greatly on public support, this decline has had a direct impact on our ability to continue offering financial assistance for motorcycle, scooter, trike and quadbike adaptations.

For the past two years, the NABD’s annual expenditure has been increasingly greater than its income. This situation could not be allowed to continue. Even after implementing cost-cutting measures wherever possible, the Trustees were left with no choice but to suspend the Adaptation Grants system until the financial situation can be improved.

* 𝐸𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔/𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑏𝑒𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑚𝑖𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑎 𝑛𝑒𝑤, 𝑚𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑜𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑠𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬
• Adaptation grants that have already been awarded will continue to be honoured and these will be paid on completion of the adaptation work as usual.
• Applications that have been received after 14th July 2026 will be held in a queue but cannot be processed until such time as funding levels recover.
• New applications may still be submitted, but they will not be presented to the National Committee for consideration until we have sufficient funds to reopen the grants system.
• This suspension is temporary, and the Trustees will review the situation regularly.

This is only the second time in its proud 35-year history that the NABD has had to suspend its Adaptation Grants system, the first occasion was in 2012, and the suspension lasted for five months.

We understand the frustration and disappointment this may cause, especially for riders who are eager to regain independence and mobility.

𝑁𝐵. 𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑘𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑙𝑦 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑣𝑖𝑎 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑁𝐴𝐵𝐷 𝐴𝑑𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐺𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑠𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑠 𝑢𝑠𝑢𝑎𝑙.

𝐴𝑙𝑠𝑜, 𝑎 𝑙𝑖𝑚𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑑𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑥-𝑠𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑙 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑑 𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑓𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑠 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔-𝑓𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑜𝑤𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝐵𝑖𝑘𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑝.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩
The Adaptation Grant Fund exists solely because of the generosity of the biking community and supporters across the UK. If you are able to help us rebuild the fund, donations of any size will make a meaningful difference.

Supporters can make donations to the NABD at: https://nabd.org.uk/donate/

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
For 35 years, the NABD has been dedicated to supporting disabled people in accessing and enjoying the freedom and independence of motorcycling. The organisation provides technical advice, advocacy, assistance with training and financial assistance for adaptations to motorcycles, scooters, trikes and quadbikes, ensuring that motorcycling remains inclusive and accessible.

That commitment has not changed. All other services provided by the NABD remain available and we are determined to restore the Adaptation Grant scheme as soon as financially it is practical to do so. We will keep members and supporters updated as the situation evolves.

For more information about the NABD, see the new, much improved, website at: https://nabd.org.uk/

𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐇𝐮𝐥𝐬𝐞
𝑁𝐴𝐵𝐷 𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑛, 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑜𝑛 𝑏𝑒ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑓 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑁𝐴𝐵𝐷 𝑇𝑟𝑢𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑠

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR BIKERS WITH A DISABILITY (NABD) Being a biker is more than just riding a bike. It's something that you feel in your heart and soul! Join Today NATIONAL ASSSOCIATION FOR BIKERS WITH A DISABILITY Being a biker is more than riding a bike.

12/07/2026

The 2025/26 NABD Prize Draw project sold just over 6,000 tickets from its launch on Friday June 20th 2025 to its conclusion on Saturday June 20th 2026, when the winning tickets were drawn on the Rider’s Rights Stage at the Farmyard Party in Yorkshire.

All three happy winners have now received their respective prizes.

18/05/2026

A Heartfelt Message to NABD Members and Supporters

The past few months have tested the NABD in ways we never expected. Many of you will have noticed delays in replies and moderation, and I want to speak to you openly about why this has happened, and why your patience means more to us now than ever.

Last year, our website, shop, and membership system began to fail in ways we simply couldn’t patch up anymore. What started as small glitches quickly grew into serious technical problems, and a forensic review confirmed what we feared: the systems we relied on were no longer fit for purpose.

We rolled up our sleeves and got to work. A professional IT company rebuilt the entire website from the ground up, while we created all-new content and researched a safer, more modern membership system.

The new website is now live, and the new membership portal is already proving easier, clearer, and far more welcoming for new and existing members alike.

But behind the scenes, the truth is this: the old system left us with a backlog stretching back to July 2025. We are now painstakingly transferring every member, one by one, to ensure accuracy and security. It’s slow, but it’s necessary, and it’s being done with care.

Then came another blow. After more than 20 years of support, our landlord has had no choice but to sell the building that houses our HQ. The place that has been the heart of the NABD for two decades is now under threat, and this has added a heavy emotional and practical weight to everything we’re already dealing with.

All of this has happened while several committee members, people who have given years of their lives to this charity, are facing serious health issues, surgeries, and long periods of treatment. And yet, even from hospital beds and recovery rooms, they are still doing what they can.

I want to remind everyone that we are all unpaid volunteers. We give every spare hour we have because we believe in what the NABD stands for: independence, dignity, and the freedom to ride.

So please know this: nobody is being ignored, and nobody is being forgotten. We are simply stretched to our limits while trying to protect the very foundations of the organisation.

To help reduce delays in the NABD Facebook Group, Andy Arnott has kindly stepped in to support moderation.

If you’re waiting for information, there’s a good chance it’s already on the new website, checking there first can help us keep moving forward.

Thank you for your patience, your understanding, and your belief in what we do. Your support is the reason the NABD has survived every challenge thrown at it for 35 years, and it’s the reason we’ll get through this one too.

Rick Hulse
NABD Chairman

14/04/2026

𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐍𝐀𝐁𝐃 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞, 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰! 😊

I am very pleased to announce that the new NABD website is now live and fully operational.

While the web address remains unchanged, http://nabd.org.uk almost everything else has been comprehensively upgraded.
Thanks to the technical expertise of the team at Vector Web Services of Shropshire https://vector-web-services.co.uk/ we now have a modern, significantly improved and dynamic website, which should serve the NABD well for many years to come.

The new site is fully compliant with current data protection requirements, incorporates enhanced security features, and makes use of adaptive technologies. It works equally well on mobile phones, tablets and desktop PCs, and is noticeably faster and more responsive than our previous website.

Over the past six months, a phenomenal amount of work has gone into populating the new site with informative articles and updated content, and we are very pleased with the results achieved so far.

Although a small number of sections are still being completed (including Affiliations, Fundraising and the Online Shop), the new website already contains far more information than ever before and thanks to some thoughtful design choices, it also feels significantly less cluttered and is much easier to navigate.

The improved navigation and greatly expanded FAQ sections should also help reduce the need for us to repeatedly reply to the same common queries.

Alongside the new website, we have introduced a completely new online membership system. This replaces the cumbersome old system, which had become increasingly problematic and had caused a number of difficulties and complaints over the past year or so. The new system is much simpler, more reliable, and better suited to our needs. A full explanation can be found here:
https://nabd.org.uk/the-new-nabd-online-membership-portal/

When you have a moment, I encourage you to explore the new site and see what you think. As a dynamic website, it will always be a work in progress, but we hope you will agree that it already represents a significant improvement and a valuable resource for motorcyclists with disabilities.

We always welcome feedback from members and supporters. If you notice anything that needs attention, or if you experience any issues when using the site on your device, please let us know by emailing [email protected] and providing as much detail as possible.

Rick Hulse
𝐍𝐀𝐁𝐃 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧

NB Information pages and Adaptation Grant Applications are still currently available on the website, just click the relevant link. An all new, professionally built system including, NABD Website, Onli...