Mandurah could be next to trial trishaw ebikes for elderly

A LACK of mobility is no longer an obstacle for older people wanting a bike ride, since the birth of Cycling Without Age.

Cycling Without Age’s mission is to connect elderly people with the community and the outdoors by taking them out on specially built trishaw ebikes, piloted by volunteer cyclists.

Danish founder Dorthe Pedersen visited Frasers Landing, Coodanup today to discuss bringing the program to Mandurah.

The international not-for-profit organisation operates in 37 countries and its principle is that life can be embraced by what each generation has to offer through something as simple as cycling.

With 1500 trishaw ebikes worldwide and more than 50,000 elderly people enjoying rides, the program encourages aging in a positive context.

There are already three trishaws ebikes in Perth – at RAAF Bull Creek, Melville, Sorrento and soon Cottesloe.

Cycling Without Age affiliate John Wass said that with the number of nursing homes and aged care facilities, it was hoped to eventually get about 20 trishaw ebikes in the area.

Ms Pedersen, a dedicated community mobiliser with a Master of Social Entrepreneurship, is the organisational, program and development manager.

She said older people were much happier and relaxed to be piloted on trips “with the wind in their hair” by volunteer pilots.