Rochdale Cycling Without Age orders first specially adapted ‘trishaw’

Photo: Cycling Without Age

Cycling Without Age tackles the loneliness and isolation experienced by senior citizens when they become confined to their own homes

Local group Rochdale Cycling Without Age – which aims to end loneliness in older residents – has put a deposit down for its first specially adapted ‘trishaw’ to take senior citizens out in the community on free bike rides.

Thanks to funding from the Pennines Township, the movement has secured its very first trishaw – a three-wheel cycle with a passenger cab in front – which will enable volunteers to take the elderly out and about.

Started by Dianne David, of Littleborough, who used to work in the adult care sector, Rochdale Cycling Without Age is now looking for volunteers to take isolated and lonely older people out in the fresh air and spring sun.

Dianne said: "We’ve just paid the deposit for our first trishaw. A massive thank you to everyone who has helped with the fundraising so far and to Pennines Township for awarding us a grant to help us buy the trishaw.

"We’ll soon be able to take lonely older people with mobility issues on bike rides to feel the wind in their hair; we can’t wait."

Dianne estimates the trishaw will arrive by the end of April/start of May, allowing the group to offer its free, fully-insured rides.

Rochdale Cycling Without Age is a local group borne out of the global Cycling Without Age movement, which tackles the loneliness and isolation experienced by senior citizens when they become confined to their own homes.
 

Read more: Local woman aims to combat loneliness in older people through 'Cycling Without Age'Published: 17 January 2021

Having recently reached the UK, Cycling Without Age was launched in Copenhagen in 2012 by Ole Kassow, enabling volunteers to visit local care and senior citizen facilities around the community to offer residents an opportunity to be a passenger.

Since launching, communities over the UK have been inspired to rally together and fund more trishaws so that they can offer local elderly residents the freedom to get outdoors and explore the world around them. 

For more information, or to express interest in volunteering, please contact Rochdale Cycling Without Age via Facebook, email rochdale@cyclingwithoutage.org.uk or call 01706 508140.