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Seòmar agus comataidhean

Congratulating Ken Talbot, from Edinburgh North and Leith, on Attempt to Break World Land Speed Record in Handcycling

  • Submitted by: Foysol Choudhury, Lothian, Scottish Labour.
  • Date lodged: Thursday, 25 September 2025
  • Motion type: Standard Motion
  • Motion reference: S6M-18871

That the Parliament congratulates Ken Talbot, from the Edinburgh North and Leith constituency, on his ambitious attempt to break the world land speed record in handcycling in the USA in September 2025, aiming to exceed 55 mph using arm power alone; recognises that he held the previous world record with 51.58 mph over a five-mile course in 2018; notes that he rode alongside former GB Paralympian, Karen Darke, from Moray, who still holds the women’s world record of 46.59 mph; congratulates both Ken and Karen for their attempts; recognises that they both still hold their world records from 2018; understands that Ken, a former railway worker, had an industrial injury in 2009 from which he acquired a neurological condition known as complex regional pain syndrome; notes what it sees as the importance of this race in showcasing the level of success and activity achieved by disabled people when they are given the right support; commends the collaborative efforts behind the attempt, including by the University of Liverpool, where the bikes were built by a team of engineering students, the University of Edinburgh and two Scotland-based coaches who have provided the adapted support to help Ken and Karen prepare, and wishes Ken, Karen and the entire team continued success in future races and in their mission to bring the world records back to Scotland.


Supported by: Clare Adamson, Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Annabelle Ewing, Emma Harper, Jamie Hepburn, Bill Kidd, Fulton MacGregor, Edward Mountain, Audrey Nicoll, Kevin Stewart, Paul Sweeney, Sue Webber, Annie Wells