Ageless trike wheels onto the Bellarine

A worldwide initiative, Cycling Without Age, has arrived on the Bellarine, giving elderly residents the chance to experience the freedom of riding once more.

Ole Kassow started the initiative in Denmark in 2012 and designed a specialised trike that carries elderly passengers at the front while a volunteer rides and steers at the back.

It has now spread to 33 countries throughout the world with aged care provider Arcare (located in Point Lonsdale and Portarlington) ordering the specially designed bike for their residents.

Point Lonsdale lifestyle co-ordinator Fiona Allchin said they launched the bike Wednesday (last week) alongside Arcare chief executive officer Colin Sing, state manager Angela Scarlett and Borough of Queenscliffe councillor Susan Salter.

“It was brilliant, everyone had a great time. It was a bit windy but the sun came out and it was gorgeous. We have about 90 residents and at least 70 came out for the event,” Ms Allchin said.

“We had about 10 people have a go on the trike and they just really enjoyed it, they felt really special. One lady said she’d never ridden before and how marvellous it was and she’d ride all the way to Melbourne.”

Ms Allchin said the program will rely on volunteers signing up to take residents for rides that can vary anywhere between 15-30 minutes along two different tracks.

“The aim is to go for a ride up the main street, get a coffee and head back. We’re co-ordinating a volunteer drive so we have enough volunteers to ride the residents around,” Ms Allchin said.

Ms Allchin said that last year there was community interest from people who’d seen the trikes so they travelled up to Melbourne to visit an organisation that was using the bike.

“Their residents loved it so we put an order in last September where it’s manufactured in Copenhagen and the trike arrived in December.

“We held a naming competition and the winner won a $100 gift voucher for the name ‘Rover’.

“The trikes ticked so many boxes for our residents, they’re getting fresh air and the feeling of riding again, it’s really uplifting.”

For more information on the movement, head to cyclingwithoutage.org and to enquire about volunteering, phone Arcare on 5220 4863.