A new charity which aims to provide free rides on trishaws for people who can no longer cycle has been formed in Gippsland.
Taking inspiration from a worldwide movement, a group of locals has formed Cycling Without Age Gippsland and aims to develop a mobile service for Lakes Entrance, Bairnsdale and Sale before the end of this year.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is volunteering as the Gippsland chair of the charity, which started in Denmark in 2012 and arrived in Australia in 2016.
“There are now 40 Chapters operating around Australia, and I have been elected as the inaugural Chair of ‘Cycling Without Age Gippsland’ and given the responsibility to help trial the concept,” Mr Chester said.
“It’s a not-for-profit charity that provides a community service by connecting those no longer able to ride for themselves with their community and the outdoors by giving them free rides on trishaw e-bikes, piloted by volunteer cyclists.
“The vision is to enable safe, free and universal access to Cycling Without Age rides for people not able to ride themselves, anywhere in Australia. The state-of-the-art trishaws are purpose-built for the safe transportation of passengers, and this is the first opportunity to bring this program to towns across Gippsland.”
Mr Chester said fundraising had started with the group aiming to raise $75,000 from community donations and grants, to begin with two trishaws and an enclosed trailer.
“The committee has chosen Sale, Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance as start-up locations because all offer exceptional bike riding options, with flat off-road courses, which are safe for riders and their passengers,” Mr Chester said.
“We need to prove the concept can work here and then aim to expand to more towns once we are fully established.
“We are affiliated with Cycling Without Age Australia, which provides access to training, tax-deductibility status and public liability insurance, but raising the funds to operate the service is a local responsibility.”
In addition to seeking corporate sponsorship, the Cycling Without Age Gippsland committee has established a community fundraising page, which can be found online.
“Every little bit helps as we aim to host our first rides before the end of this year,” Mr Chester said.
“I’m confident Gippslanders will get behind this charity as we strive to improve community health and wellbeing, reduce isolation and loneliness, and build resilience across our community.”
For information and the latest news, including progress updates, visit the Cycling Without Age Gippsland Facebook page.
Alternatively, follow Cycling Without Age Gippsland on Instagram.
