Who Are We
The NABD is widely recognised as the world leader in accessible motorcycling for people with disabilities, frequently advising organisations such as the DVLA, DVSA, DfT, the Manx and Channel Isles Licensing Authorities, the National Highways Agency, the insurance industry, motorcycle training organisations, and the European Parliament, on issues relating to motorcycling for people with disabilities. Since its inception, the Association has directly empowered more than 12,000 disabled people to experience the freedom and joy of independent motorcycling, with thousands more around the world ultimately benefitting from its work, innovations and achievements.
NABD Volunteers
The NABD is powered by dedicated, unpaid volunteers many living with disabilities themselves who give their time and determination to keep motorcycling accessible to all.
For over 30 years, hundreds have served selflessly, some until they could give no more, others remembered with honour. Many long-standing trustees and committee members have supported the NABD for decades, including John Byrne and John Lysons, who have served on the national management committee since 1999. Rick Hulse, asked to serve one year as National Chairman in 1992, has devoted 33 years half his life to the NABD.
The NABD exists because of volunteers who expect no reward, only the belief that disability should never exclude anyone from motorcycling.
To every volunteer, past and present: thank you. Your commitment has made a lasting difference.
Lemmy
Dave Silburn
John Lysons HR
Alison Winter Mugshot for report
philip_morris_nabd
- ‘Alison Winter – NABD Rep, Northern Ireland’ – An unstoppable dynamo with a heart the size of a house!
- Lemmy – RIP Lemmy, always remembered with a smile.
- ‘Dave Silburn – was an NABD Rep & member of the National Committee’ – RIP Dave, never forgotten, always loved.
- ‘John Lysons – NABD National Publicity Officer & Trustee.’ – One of the nicest people on the planet!
- ‘Phil Morris, National NABD Stall Manager’ – Indefatigable in heart & soul, truely one of the best!
Who Are We
The NABD is widely recognised as the world leader in accessible motorcycling for people with disabilities, frequently advising organisations such as the DVLA, DVSA, DfT, the Manx and Channel Isles Licensing Authorities, the National Highways Agency, the insurance industry, motorcycle training organisations, and the European Parliament, on issues relating to motorcycling for people with disabilities. Since its inception, the Association has directly empowered more than 12,000 disabled people to experience the freedom and joy of independent motorcycling, with thousands more around the world ultimately benefitting from its work, innovations and achievements.
NABD Volunteers
The NABD is powered by dedicated, unpaid volunteers many living with disabilities themselves who give their time and determination to keep motorcycling accessible to all.
For over 30 years, hundreds have served selflessly, some until they could give no more, others remembered with honour. Many long-standing trustees and committee members have supported the NABD for decades, including John Byrne and John Lysons, who have served on the national management committee since 1999. Rick Hulse, asked to serve one year as National Chairman in 1992, has devoted 33 years half his life to the NABD.
The NABD exists because of volunteers who expect no reward, only the belief that disability should never exclude anyone from motorcycling.
To every volunteer, past and present: thank you. Your commitment has made a lasting difference.
'Phil Morris, National NABD Stall Manager'
Indefatigable in heart & soul, truely one of the best!
'John Lysons - NABD National Publicity Officer & Trustee.'
One of the nicest people on the planet!
'Dave Silburn - was an NABD Rep & member of the National Committee'
RIP Dave, never forgotten, always loved.
Lemmy
RIP Lemmy, always remembered with a smile.
'Alison Winter - NABD Rep, Northern Ireland'
An unstoppable dynamo with a heart the size of a house!
'Dave Silburn - was an NABD Rep & member of the National Committee'
RIP Dave, never forgotten, always loved.
Lemmy
RIP Lemmy, always remembered with a smile.
'Phil Morris, National NABD Stall Manager'
Indefatigable in heart & soul, truely one of the best!
What We Do
Where It Began
The National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD) was established in April 1991 by six motorcyclists from Stockport and Manchester who challenged the notion that disabled individuals could not ride motorcycles. Within its first year, the NABD grew to over 100 members and it had assisted three disabled individuals in adapting motorcycles for their independent use. Early adaptations required innovative engineering solutions developed through trial and error. From these humble beginnings, the NABD has become the global leader in accessible motorcycling.
Financial Grants
The NABD provides financial grants to help cover the cost of adapting motorcycles, scooters, sidecar combinations, and trikes to meet the needs of disabled riders or pillion passengers.
Grants typically range from £250 to £2,000, depending on the machine and individual requirements. Each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the charity’s management committee.
In most cases, payments are made directly to the engineers carrying out the work. When specialist components or kits are needed, the NABD often orders them at discounted prices from manufacturers and supplies them to the applicant or engineer.
Grants are available to residents of the UK, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. While we can’t provide funding outside these areas, we’re always happy to offer advice and guidance worldwide.
Range of Adaptations
NABD provides a range of motorcycle and trike adaptations to meet the needs of riders with different disabilities, including:
- Thumb-operated brake systems for limited leg use.
- Twin-lever and easy-clutch kits for reduced hand strength.
- Push-button gear changers for mobility limitations.
- Hydraulic-to-cable conversions and other control modifications.
- Full hand-control systems and specialised sidecars for wheelchair users.
- Custom trikes and ride-from-wheelchair setups.
- Additional options: remote side-stands, seat/back supports, modified pillion seats, and throttle adaptations.
For more details on these and other solutions, visit our Adaptations page.
Training & Assessments
The NABD works closely with the DVLA, providing expert advice on issues affecting disabled riders and carrying out assessments for those wishing to regain their motorcycle entitlement.
We also offer a fleet of adapted 125cc learner motorcycles and scooters, each modified to suit various disabilities. These are loaned free of charge (excluding delivery and collection fees) to help riders complete their CBT, on-road training, and tests.
At our Manchester office, riders can try out different adapted controls to find what best suits their needs. We also provide two fully hand-controlled trikes, ideal for wheelchair users, available for supervised assessments only.
(Please note: the adapted NABD trikes are not part of the learner/loaner scheme and are only used for accompanied assessments.)
Advice & Support
The NABD provides expert advice and support for disabled riders on all aspects of motorcycling, including:
- Adaptations for motorcycles, scooters, trikes, sidecars, mopeds, and quad-cycles
- Insurance, licensing, and VAT exemptions for disabled riders
- Rider training, legal guidance, and help with protective clothing adaptations
When needed, we’ll also represent individual members to the relevant authorities if they’re unable to resolve an issue themselves.
Our advice stands appear at many motorcycle and disability events throughout the year, and we also work with event organisers to help improve accessibility for disabled riders.
Social & Fundraising Events
The NABD has built an outstanding reputation for its social and fundraising events held across the UK from one-night gatherings to major annual rallies.
Visit our Events page for upcoming rallies and fundraising opportunities.
Membership & Affiliation
Membership is open to everyone, you don’t need to be disabled to support the NABD and its work.
- Individual Membership: £24 per year
- Family Membership: £36 per year
- Club & Business Affiliations: Available (see relevant pages for details)
By joining or affiliating, you’ll be directly supporting our mission to help disabled riders enjoy the freedom of motorcycling.
Publicity & Updates
We publish a high-quality, full-colour, printed, 36-page annual magazine, ‘Open House’, which is distributed directly to members and affiliates. The magazine features a selection of recent grant-funded adaptations, contemporary reports of the learner/loaner scheme, a diverse range of interesting articles, news about events, fundraising initiatives, and general NABD news. ‘Open House’ is also available online, along with back issues, at https://issuu.com/thenabd. In addition to the magazine, NABD provides regular news bulletins and updates online via:
• The NABD website
• The NABD News page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61…
• The NABD Group page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/gro…
• The Affiliated Clubs page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gr… These bulletins and updates ensure a consistent flow of information to our community.
Download Annual Report >
Lord Rotherwick
Member of the House Of Lords & Biker
Gary Havelock
Champion speedway rider
Suzi Perry
Superbike & Supermoto presenter for the BBC, pictured here with fast bloke Eddie Irvine
Sammy Miller
Motorcycling Champion and Legend
David Holding
Para-Olympic Gold Medallist
Sir Billy Connolly
Comedian and bike/trike rider
Mark O’Shea
Herpetologist, author, TV presenter, and biker
Mik Scarlet
Member of the House Of Lords & Biker
Neil Hodgson
World Superbike Champion
Stevie Simpson
Biker, Troubadour, Singer/Songwriter
Their ongoing support helps raise awareness of the NABD’s work, offers inspiration to our community, and strengthens our mission to ensure motorcycling remains accessible to all.
Log In
Their ongoing support helps raise awareness of the NABD’s work, offers inspiration to our community, and strengthens our mission to ensure motorcycling remains accessible to all.
Lord Rotherwick
Member of the House Of Lords & Biker
Gary Havelock
Champion speedway rider
Suzi Perry
Superbike & Supermoto presenter for the BBC, pictured here with fast bloke Eddie Irvine
Sammy Miller
Motorcycling Champion and Legend
David Holding
Para-Olympic Gold Medallist
Sir Billy Connolly
Comedian and bike/trike rider
Mark O’Shea
Herpetologist, author, TV presenter, and biker
Mik Scarlet
Member of the House Of Lords & Biker
Neil Hodgson
World Superbike Champion
Stevie Simpson
Biker, Troubadour, Singer/Songwriter
Their ongoing support helps raise awareness of the NABD’s work, offers inspiration to our community, and strengthens our mission to ensure motorcycling remains accessible to all.
Log In
FAQ’s
NABD stands for The National Association for Bikers with a Disability. This registered charity exists to support the needs and welfare of disabled motorcyclists and to provide a dependable route for people with disabilities to access the freedom and independence of motorcycling.
What sets the NABD apart from the vast majority of charities is, it is entirely governed by unpaid volunteers, it doesn’t spend huge amounts of money on plush offices or ‘generous expenses’. It has just one paid employee (the office manager) and it guarantees that 100% of every donation goes into funding adaptation grants.
The NABD headquarters/office is in Manchester, UK, but core services serve people throughout the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Isles. Much of the work of the NABD has also directly benefitted disabled motorcyclist throughout Europe and the wider world.
Yes! NABD welcomes all bikers and supporters, whether or not you have a disability. Members help support a good cause while enjoying the community and benefits that come with it.
The charity is supported through donations, membership fees, and fundraising events such as charity rides, raffles, and rallies organized by supporters.
Any disabled rider or aspiring rider who is resident in the UK, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Isles can apply for an adaptation grants regardless of experience or background.
The NABD helps disabled gain or regain access to the freedom and independence of motorcycling through financial grants to help with the cost of adaptations, technical advice, the design of motorcycle adaptations, help with motorcycle training, tests and assessments and advocacy. The charity also works with government departments, local authorities, motorcycle manufacturers and licensing authorities to improve and protect the rights of disabled motorcyclists and their access to motorcycling. It also raises awareness of the accessibility issues facing disabled motorcyclists within the wider motorcycling community.
Yes. we can. If you have a licensing query, first check to see if the answer is already available in the FAQ section, if not, email the NABD via, office@thenabd.org.uk or telephone the office on 0161 749 7050 (9:00am-3:39pm, Monday-Friday).
For general enquiries, email the NABD office via office@thenabd.org.uk or telephone: 0161 749 7050 (9:00am-3:30pm, Monday to Friday). For more specific enquiries see the committee contacts page for the email address of the committee member responsible for the aspect of the NABD’s work that you wish to enquire about. For local contacts, see the Rep’s list.
Yes, the NABD is registered with the Charities Commission and the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).
The NABD currently has more than 14,000 members on its books and has directly helped more than 12,000 disabled people to gain access to, or return to, independent motorcycling.
Sadly the number of active, accredited, volunteers, remains pitifully small (currently less than 40).
The NABD is entirely governed by unpaid volunteers. The management committee (aka National Committee currently has 12 members, 6 of whom are also the official Trustees of the charity. (Some members of the management committee have been dedicated, unpaid, committee volunteers for the NABD for more than 25-years, and the Chairman has been a dedicated unpaid committee volunteer for 34-years). All of the trustees and other members of the management committee have active ‘hands on’ involvement in the management of the charity. The NABD has only one paid employee (the office manager) who is responsible for a great deal of the day-to-day administration of the NABD.
