Cycling Without Age brings joyrides to seniors and the disabled in Mandurah and Rockingham
Cycling Without Age (CWA), a global not-for-profit group, has recently launched its trishaws in Mandurah and Rockingham, bringing smiles and a sense of freedom to the elderly and the disabled. The initiative began in Denmark in 2012, where it provided thousands of free bicycle rides to community members. Since then, the initiative has expanded to more than 50 countries worldwide, serving over 1.5 million people.
Mandurah founder Brad Barber, a retiree and community volunteer, brought CWA to Mandurah in November 2020, starting with just one temporary trishaw. The service quickly became popular among locals, prompting the group to fundraise for more trishaws. With the support of the community, CWA Mandurah raised over $50,000 in just a few months, enabling the purchase of two more trishaws.
CWA Mandurah captain Dott Dacey said the motivation behind the group was to improve the quality of life for the elderly and those who could no longer ride a bike. “Not being able to do the things they used to be able to do is the motivator . . . we can take the elderly and those that no longer can ride out and it’s a free service,” she said. The first of the two trishaws has been named Barbara, in honour of Barbara Bowen, a prominent figure in the Mandurah community in the 1970s.
Meanwhile, CWA Rockingham offers the first-ever wheelchair accessible trishaw in Western Australia. Locals Gemma Heaney and John Chatfield formed the Rockingham branch in 2019, and their fleet has been making a difference in the community ever since. CWA Rockingham captain Dianne Webb said the service provides opportunities for housebound individuals to get out and experience the joy of cycling.
The CWA rides are free to the public, and the Mandurah and Rockingham groups offer rides on specific days and times during the week. CWA Mandurah operates every Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9.30am and 11.30am, while CWA Rockingham provides rides along the Rockingham Foreshore from Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 11.30am. Both groups also visit aged care homes to give residents a chance to enjoy the fresh air and the ride.
To learn more about CWA Mandurah and CWA Rockingham, visit their Facebook pages.
