Aged care residents to tour city by bike thanks to social program

Aged care residents will explore the sights of Sydney by bike once more, thanks to grants that will add to the fleet of social enterprise Cycling Without Age.

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Aged care residents in Sydney will be able rediscover their city as they cruise around its best views on a bike, thanks to social program Cycling Without Age.

The social enterprise has purchased a third custom ‘trishaw’ — a battery-assisted three-wheeled bike — to chauffeur passengers around picturesque destinations like Rushcutters Bay, the Sydney Opera House and Centennial Park.

The vehicles allow two people to sit comfortably at the front while a younger, fitter cyclist does the hard yards.

Cycling Without Age, a community group that takes aged care residents around Sydney's best views, has received a new 'trishaw' thanks to a grant from City of Sydney and Woollahra councils. Picture: City of Sydney

Run by BIKEast, the vehicle will pick up residents at facilities including The Terraces at Paddington and Montefiore at Woollahra to take them around the city — in a bid to keep elderly people active and connected to the community.

“I’ve witnessed first-hand some of the incredible new friendships created through Cycling Without Age between people riding and nursing home residents,” BIKEast’s Adrian Boss said.

Rushcutters Bay Park is one of the picturesque destinations. Picture: City of Sydney

Creating social connections is the main goal. Picture: City of Sydney

“With the new trishaw, we’ll be able to take residents on rides to explore the Sydney Opera House, The Botanical Gardens, the Domain, Rushcutters Bay Park and Centennial Parklands — all easily reached from local care homes.”

Launched in 2012, the Cycling Without Age program runs in 37 countries and has 20 groups in Australia.

The new trishaw was funded through a joint grant from the City of Sydney and Woollahra councils, which contributed $8500 and $7500 respectively.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore and Woollahra Mayor Peter Cavanagh walk alongside the ‘trishaw’. Picture: City of Sydney

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the council was always looking at paths to get people onto two, or three, wheels.

“The City is linking Sydney’s bike network to create safe connections between neighbourhoods, and these new bikes will be a wonderful way for older residents to enjoy these new cycle paths, our city and the outdoors with friends,” she said.