Bundaberg’s Cynthia Hoogstraten is looking for assistance to get the wheels turning on the Cycling Without Age Australia chapter in the region.
Cycling Without Age is a not-for-profit organisation that provides a community service by connecting people no longer able to ride for themselves with their community and the outdoors by giving them free rides on trishaw ebikes, piloted by volunteer cyclists.
Cynthia said she fell in love with the idea after seeing the program in practice at Yeppoon, and now she hopes to give locals who can not ride unassisted a chance to take in the wonders of Bundaberg’s beautiful coastline.
“I want people who may have either a disability, are elderly or a senior to be able to feel the wind in their hair as they travel along our coastline on one of these trishaws,” Cynthia said.
“I saw the trishaws in action at Yeppoon, and I thought of my dad, Henk, who had dementia and how he would have loved to have taken a ride on one.”
Cynthia said she was busy putting together a Cycling Without Age Australia case study to start the local chapter and anyone interested in helping could contact her via email or Facebook messenger.
“The trishaw ebikes cost $17,500 each, and I am seeking funds to hopefully have two in the region,” she said.
“They have a pilot, who would volunteer their time to guide it, and two people sit in the front carriage.
“It is battery operated so they pilot doesn’t have to push as they also travel along our great pathways, taking in the beautiful coast, climate and weather that we have here.
“I know it will bring more joy to people, taking a ride along our coastline, feeling the fresh air on their faces may be the one thing that brings joy to their lives.”
Cycling Without Age global organisation
Cynthia said it was the organisation's mission to build bridges between generations and help prevent loneliness.
Cycling Without Age is a global, non-for-profit organisation founded in Copenhagen, Denmark, by Ole Kassow.
It was established in 2012, and today, the organisation is represented in 42 countries all over the world, including many in Australia.
The concept of Cycling Without Age is taking elderly people out for bike rides in specially built trishaw bikes piloted by volunteers.
The bike rides are free of charge and only require a reservation beforehand.
Cycling Without Age gives elderly people an opportunity to avoid social isolation and remain active in their community by taking them out on bike rides and allow them to feel the wind in their hair.
Anyone interested in helping Cynthia start a local chapter can send her an email: cynthiahighstreet@hotmail.com
