“SCRAP TAX ON TANDEMS TO END INEQUALITY FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED” SAYS PARALYMPIC CHAMPION

• In a letter sent to the Chancellor ahead of the autumn budget, Lizzi Jordan MBE is calling on government to make standard issue tandem bicycles VAT-exempt, bringing them in line with current legislation and improve disability inclusion 
• Current legislation discriminates against visually impaired people, due to tandems not being classified as an ‘adaptive’ bike 
• Recognising tandems as adaptive bicycles would improve access to exercise, travel, social inclusion and physical and mental wellbeing for visually impaired people up and down the country 
• Jordan, who lost her sight suddenly aged 19, is campaigning to ensure that every blind or visually impaired person in this country has equal access to something as simple as a bike, allowing them to access the freedom, independence and health benefits a bike can offer 
• Lizzi’s campaign video can be viewed here 

Lizzi Jordan MBE is campaigning to make standard issue tandem bicycles recognised as ‘adaptive bicycles’ when purchased for use by certified visually impaired individuals. This change would bring tandem bicycles in line with the current VAT-exemption on other adaptive bikes such as trikes and hand bikes, giving visually impaired people the freedom, independence, health and wellbeing benefits that cycling brings – for little financial cost to the Treasury. 

The current legislation does not recognise tandems as ‘adaptive bikes’ for visually impaired disabled people, as they are not exclusively used by those with disabilities. However, for many visually impaired people, a tandem bicycle is not a leisure luxury but an essential adaptation that enables them (with a sighted pilot) to safely enjoy the benefits of cycling that around half ¹ of Britain’s adults do each year and therefore should be exempt from tax. 

Jordan believes the current lack of recognition creates unnecessary financial barriers, as tandem bicycles are significantly more expensive than standard bicycles despite serving an accessibility purpose. A 2025 analysis² by the Royal National Institute of Blind People found that blind and partially sighted working-age adults are about half as likely to be in paid employment as non-disabled people (40% vs 80%).  

UK-wide disability pay-gap data from the Office for National Statistics³ showed disabled workers earned about 12.7% less per hour than non-disabled workers. In addition, Sport England reports disabled people are “almost twice as likely” to be physically inactive.⁴ 

Jordan was inspired to campaign for change through her own experience. Just nine years ago, at the age of 19, she suddenly lost her eyesight due to illness complications that led to her being in a coma on life support for eight weeks. Having been previously fully sighted and able bodied, living an independent and active life, Jordan woke to find she had acquired the life changing disability of being completely blind.  

Having had her life saved by the NHS, Jordan channelled her negativity into positivity and after re-learning to walk, eventually found herself at a British Cycling Talent ID day, where her para-cycling career began. 

Since then, Jordan has gone on to win Paralympic gold in the women’s tandem 1km time-trial alongside pilot Danni Khan, as well as six world titles and four additional world championships medals and recently won a bronze medal as part of Team England at her first ever Commonwealth Games in the summer. 

While her story has led to a career in elite sport, Jordan wants to use her profile to tackle an avoidable inequality faced by a group of people who have to overcome challenges in almost everything they do. Through an opportunity with British Cycling and the Lloyds Pedal with Purpose programme, Jordan has developed this campaign to call for legislation that will remove a significant barrier for visually impaired people to experience the joys of cycling that so many of us take for granted. 

In an open letter to the Chancellor, Jordan said: 

“While I have chosen to pursue elite sport, cycling offers so many benefits and this ask is simply about equality in everyday life. I feel it is my moral duty to use my platform now to ensure that every blind or visually impaired person in this country has equal access to something as basic as more affordable bicycles. 

“This campaign presents the government with a practical, affordable, and highly visible opportunity to improve disability inclusion in the United Kingdom. 

“The financial impact of this recognition would be minimal l (around £26,000 per year⁵), but the social impact would be transformative.  

“This is a fairness issue. It is an accessibility issue. And it is an opportunity for the Government to make a meaningful change. 

“I urge the Government to please formally recognise standard tandem bicycles purchased by visually impaired individuals as adaptive bicycles with regards to the VAT exemption.  

“I would welcome a meeting with you and your team to discuss this important issue, and opportunity, in more detail.” 

Steve Darling, MP for Torbay, said, “The current rules, meaning that tandem bikes are not recognised as adaptive cycles, make little sense. We need to encourage people with disabilities to stay active rather than making specialist equipment more expensive. I hope that the Chancellor sees this error and reverses it at the budget.” 

The Lloyds Pedal with Purpose programme is one of several initiatives that British Cycling and Lloyds are delivering through their partnership to remove barriers to cycling, empower and inspire communities. 

Lizzi’s campaign is officially backed by: 

• The Bicycle Association 
• British Blind Sport 
• ParalympicsGB 
• Living Streets 
• Cycling UK 
• Bikeability Trust 
• Walk Wheel Cycle Trust 
• Get Yourself Active (Disability Rights UK) 
• The British Olympic Association