Cycling at any age brings joy and when you talk with residents from the Napier Masonic Trust who enjoy regular & free cycling excursions on a triobike they immediately become animated.
“It’s gives me a sense of freedom and it’s wonderful to be in the fresh air feeling the wind in my hair.”
“I enjoy saying hello to passersby and chatting with my rider “
“It’s such a pleasure being out and about. My favourite is riding through the park enjoying the colours with the change of seasons and my pilot Alan is wonderful,” says Anne whose weekly outing always includes a coffee at Greenmeadows New World.
There are many benefits to regular rides with the Cycling Without Age pilots. Social interaction occurs throughout the ride with the pilot and people they meet on the way and the fresh air and sense of freedom is invigorating. It’s fun, and even the anticipation of their ride lifts the mood of the passenger.
The brilliant Triobikes belong to Napier charity Cycling Without Age. The Triobike concept began with one man in Copenhagen in 2012. Ole Kassow wanted to help elders get back on their bicycles and had to find an answer to their limited mobility.
Alan White a Trustee and pilot / trainer says the Napier charity has grown since it began in 2022. They now have fifteen volunteer pilots / cyclists and more in training. Three trishaws are owned by the Trust thanks to generous donations from the community; two electric Trio bikes (described as a couch on wheels), named Maggie and Nola, and a wheelchair-carrying electric tricycle named Joy.
If you are living in our villages and would like to go for a spin, do contact betterlives@cwanapier.nz or talk to Liz on 027 244 2576. Find out more on Cycling Without Age website www.cwanapier.nz
