Scenic ride service has a birthday

THE Bendigo chapter of a worldwide non-profit organisation that aims to address social isolation and community engagement for vulnerable people has just celebrated its first birthday.

And according to chapter chair Pam Erny, the Cycling Without Age service is growing rapidly in popularity.

“At this stage last year we started with a mere idea of getting a chapter started in Bendigo,” Mrs Erny said.

“Wow, what a year we’ve had – we’ve accomplished so much in the space of 12 months.

“We now have four aged care facilities with regular rides and regular sessions with Sailability.

“We have nine pilots with training continuing and the pilot number steadily growing.”

Cycling Without Age originated in Denmark in 2012 and has since spread around the world.

The Bendigo chapter provides free trishaw rides around Lake Weeroona, with volunteer pilots providing the pedal power.

“We have a new trishaw on the way, due to arrive around mid-May,” Mrs Erny said.

“While we wait for the new trishaw to arrive, we have a trishaw on loan from Cycling Without Age Australia which is enabling us to build our chapter up – developing relationships within the community.”

The bespoke electric trishaws have seat belts attached, provide easy access entry and exit points, and seat two passengers plus a volunteer pilot.

The chapter joined forces with similar service Bendigo Sailability, which is also based at the lake, in December last year.

It marked the first birthday occasion earlier this month with a light lunch and an informal get-together at the lake.

“We have a lovely bunch of like-minded people working on the committee, general running of the chapter and fundraising activities, whom we are very lucky to be involved with,” Mrs Erny said.

“A huge thank you to you all.”

Mrs Erny also issued a thank you to individuals and organisations that have supported the chapter financially.

“We have quite a few of our older residents and people with a disability who have had the opportunity to ‘put some wind in their hair’ [and] who have smiles on their faces,” she said.

Anyone interested in becoming a pilot or getting involved as a volunteer can email [email protected] .