Cycling Without Age

Right across Australia dedicated volunteers are taking elderly residents out of their nursing homes for bike rides and the experience is proving to be very popular.

In the northern Victorian town of Kerang, Cycling Without Age (CWA) volunteers have been visiting the two local nursing homes to offer residents the joy and freedom that bike riding brings.

Glenarm Nursing Home resident, Bev McLennan, is always eager to get out on the three-wheeled cargo bike and feel the wind in her hair.

“It’s really good in the fresh air, that’s the beauty of it all, and the people you go with,” she said.

Ms McLennan was joined by fellow Glenarm resident, Marion Colling, as a CWA volunteer toured the pair around town.

“I don’t get out much but this is very good,” she said.

The pair squealed with joy as they were sprayed by a sprinkler watering the nature strip and then they were off down the road singing The Hokey Pokey.

Key points

• Cycling Without Age is a global volunteer organisation that provides less mobile people with cycling experiences
• A volunteer pilots up to two passengers on a three-wheeled cargo bike
• The program is running at the two nursing homes in Kerang, Victoria and residents “simply love” the freedom the bike rides bring

“They simply love to get out — anything to get out of the four walls for change. It’s such a wonderful initiative.”

Source
Kellie Hollingworth
ABC News