81-year-old hopes to get Scotland's elderly cycling again

An 81-year-old man has teamed up with secondary school pupils and his local council to help get older people back on their bikes.

Norman Ridley, a former Salvation Army Officer who resides at Bield’s Quayside Court, has joined forces with Perth High School and Perth and Kinross Council to bring Cycling Without Age to the area.

He said: “I got involved with Cycling Without Age after seeing an advert in the paper. Pupils at the school had suggested it as a project for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. I thought it was a fantastic idea, allowing older people the chance to get out and about and see the area.

“The trishaws are all ridden by volunteers who have given up their time to get older people out and discovering the area’s beauty spots. Giving older people the opportunity to enjoy the fresh air and take in the views at areas such as North Inch can really make a difference to their wellbeing."

Founded in 2012 by Ole Kassow, the project aims to help older people, who have limited mobility, get back on their bikes and enjoy the fresh air.

The scheme has taken off in countries such as New Zealand and Chile, and Mr Ridley is hoping that Perth, in Scotland, can follow suit and benefit from the scheme.

Although the scheme is set to launch on 19 May, members of the community have already taken Perth’s trishaw for a spin.

Christine Bell, executive officer at Cycling Without Age Scotland, said: “The proposed partnership between Perth High School pupils and Bield’s Housing Development in Perth, led by 81-year-old Norman Ridley, is an example of a mutually beneficial inter-generational partnership.

“Coming together like this will have benefits on so many levels. The tenants will experience the thrill of getting out in the great outdoors, feeling the wind in their hair and accessing parts of the local area they may not have seen in a long time whilst the pupils and trishaw pilots learn about the rich history of the area from the people who experienced it first-hand.

“New friendships are created and invaluable inter-generational bridges built in the heart of our communities. Everyone has much to gain from this simple yet powerful experience in the trishaw.”

Cycling Without Age was is now represented in 37 countries worldwide. Over 50,000 people have been on rides since the first pedals were pushed.

For more information on the initiative visit: www.cyclingwithoutage.org.