Meeting with Phil Donato (right) on Monday were Warren Edwards (left) and Peter O’Donnell of Parkes Cycling Without Age and Maree Hando, Lifestyle Coordinator at Southern Cross Care.
Going for a free ride in a trishaw to get some fresh air and feel the wind in your hair will become a regular feature in Parkes from next month.
Parkes Cycling Without Age will officially launch by mid-March following $18,000 of funding from the 2021 Community Building Partnership.
Member for Orange Phil Donato MP was in Parkes on Monday to meet with representatives of Parkes Cycling Without Age and to get a ride in the trishaw e-bike that was purchased with the grant. “This is a fantastic initiative,” said Phil.
The purpose of Cycling Without Age is to provide 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. These rides are piloted by volunteer cyclists.
Peter Guppy, who initiated the idea, said with about 20 trained volunteers they were ready to start regular sessions twice a week from the middle of March.
They will be following a set route starting from Lions Park and following the walking track along Wellington Road. Peter said each session would last about 30 minutes.
Anyone interested in booking a session, or interested in becoming a volunteer can contact Peter on 0448 166 016.