Background
Dave Kelly is a retired Physics and Mathematics teacher, former Deputy Headteacher, and published author of several A-Level Physics textbooks. He also chaired the national committee that produced the Report on Standards in Science Education at 16 & 18. In 2012, Dave was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease, prompting him to take early retirement.
Already a passionate cyclist, Dave had spent the summer before his diagnosis touring France on a second-hand Dawes tourer, cycling 420 miles along the Loire Valley. For him, cycling wasn’t just recreation; it was exploration, independence, and mental resilience.
The Challenge
As Parkinson’s progressed, Dave found walking increasingly difficult. Cycling became more than transport—it was a crucial defence against depression, a lesser-known but profoundly debilitating symptom of the disease. Together with his wife, Pam, Dave upgraded to hybrid bikes and threw themselves into cycling adventures across Devon, the Hebrides, Orkney, Shetland, and continental Europe.
To keep pace with his condition, Dave adapted—adding Swytch Bike kits to extend their range and tackling routes in Austria, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. But Parkinson’s continued to affect his balance. Frequent falls, including accidents that left him with a broken thumb and ribs, eventually forced Dave to stop cycling.
The Turning Point
Giving up cycling meant giving up independence and a key tool in managing his health. But in 2024, Dave discovered the Tomcat Electric Bullet trike. Its engineering precision—stable three-wheel geometry, responsive electric assistance, and adaptive design—offered Dave exactly what he needed: safety without compromise on performance.
The Outcome
Within two months of ownership, Dave clocked over 500 km on his Electric Bullet. Recently, he completed a 100 km ride along the Tarka Trail and through the lanes of North Devon.
In his own words:
“It isn’t too dramatic to say that it has given me my life back. Everywhere I go people want to talk to me about my trike. ‘That’s cool’ is the most common comment.”
Dave’s story is a testament to the transformative power of adaptive cycling technology. For him, the Tomcat Electric Bullet is more than a trike—it’s a bridge back to freedom, resilience, and the simple joy of being on the road again.
