Getting Back on the Saddle After Balance Issues: Steve’s Story

For cyclists experiencing balance problems, losing confidence on two wheels can feel like losing independence. At Jorvik Tricycles, we’re here to support those who are looking to regain their independence when dealing with limited mobility or health conditions.

Our customer, Steve Watkins, a 54-year-old fitness enthusiast, found his life changing as he began to suffer from increasingly disruptive dizzy spells five years ago. Eventually, a Jorvik electric tricycle helped Steve get back on the saddle – but before that came a long and difficult journey.

“Having been a keen cyclist [with a] job dependent on my active lifestyle, this change was a complete shock to me and my family, both physically and mentally,” Steve explains.

For adults like Steve who are hit with balance issues later in life, something that once felt like second nature – like riding a bike – can suddenly become stressful and uncertain. This change isn’t just physical, but can impact independence, feelings of freedom, and even mental health. For Steve, his balance issues meant that within a few years, he was unable to even walk in a straight line, taking him from an active 50-year-old to someone who couldn’t travel anywhere without assistance.

What Causes Balance Problems?

Steve's story, unfortunately, isn’t unique. Balance problems affect more than 1.8 million people worldwide. They’re considered an ‘invisible condition’, often overlooked by society and healthcare providers.

Balance issues can be caused by several different factors, from inner ear disorders, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and Meniere's Disease, to medications, ageing, neurological conditions, and head injuries. Symptoms include dizziness, feeling unsteady on your feet, light-headedness, and vertigo or a sensation of falling. For those, like Steve, who value time outdoors and adventuring, these symptoms have a huge impact on both everyday life and leisure time.

Desperate to get back his independence and find answers about his own balance issues, Steve went to the doctors in 2020 to undergo tests. Eventually, they found that his vestibular system – the part of the body responsible for maintaining balance – had fallen dramatically to zero out of 100 in both ears. It was at this point that Steve finally received his official diagnosis of Bilateral Vestibular Failure.

Steve’s Experience with Bilateral Vestibular Failure

Many people are unfamiliar with Bilateral Vestibular Failure or don’t fully understand the condition. To get to grips with it, we need to discuss the vestibular system.

The vestibular system is a sensory system in the inner ear. Essentially, it’s what keeps us steady from day to day by helping the brain detect head movement and maintain balance. When it fails, everyday activities can suddenly feel unstable or disorienting. For someone like Steve, Bilateral Vestibular Failure affected his spatial orientation, balance, and movement. And, while physical therapies and lifestyle changes can help ease some of the symptoms, the condition is chronic and incurable.

Dr Jimmy Pang, a specialist in vestibular and neurological care, explains, “Vestibular disorders can drastically affect mobility, confidence, and overall quality of life – even simple movements like walking or turning the head can trigger dizziness or vertigo. This often leads to avoidance of activity, which can worsen symptoms over time.”

Sport was such a big part of who Steve was that, after four years of worsening symptoms, receiving the news that there is no cure hit his identity hard. His focus turned to managing the condition, regaining control, and getting back to feeling more like his old self.

Staying active was the first suggestion. “When my doctor first told me that staying active was crucial, I had no idea how I’d manage – [I was] struggling to walk in a straight line,” Steve says. While he’d always loved keeping active and cycling, his condition meant his regular two-wheeled bike was no longer an option.

Steve left his job, and he and his wife relocated from London to Yorkshire, where they could be closer to family and adjust to the new normal of Steve’s life. It was at this point that Steve paid a visit to Jorvik Tricycles at our showroom in York to test ride an electric tricycle, and everything fell into place.

How a Tricycle Helps Those With Balance Issues Gain Independence

Steve’s story is a perfect example of how three wheels can change lives. After having to give up his regular bike completely, the trike opened up a whole new way of staying active and getting about. His wife recalls seeing him on the tricycle for the first time: “It was the first time he’s smiled like that in years!”

Dr Jimmy Pang says that staying active (within tolerance) is one of the most important aspects of recovery. “It drives neuroplasticity and helps the brain recalibrate one's vestibular system”, he says. “While treatment protocols vary, rehabilitation for chronic cases typically focuses on gradual, controlled exposure to movement to help patients regain stability."

Steve now takes his Jorvik tricycle on regular rides along the Chesterfield Canal, Clumber Park, and the Monsal Trail near Worksop. He’s also an active member of a local support group for those living with balance disorders.

“Discovering Jorvik electric tricycles has been life-changing. Fitness and exercise were my life, so losing the ability to be independent and work was devastating,” Steve said. “This tricycle has given me my freedom back. [It] has been incredible [for] me mentally to get back outside and boost my wellbeing.”

Discover a New Way To Ride with Jorvik

At Jorvik, our tricycles are designed to help riders of all abilities take back their independence. For people struggling with balance or mobility, a trike can open up a sense of adventure and reignite a love of the outdoors, whether that’s through daily rides, weekend adventures, or simply nipping to the shops with confidence again.

With features like low-step frames for easy mounting and an electric motor for a boost when you need it, we have options to suit various needs – helping more people get back on the saddle and live on their own terms.

If you’re ready to rediscover your freedom, explore the full range online or book your test ride to experience the joy of three wheels for yourself.