Wheely good fun on Cott freedom ride (27 Apr 2024)

The freedom and thrill of a bike ride became more accessible last week when Curtin MP Kate Chaney launched a new wheelchair-friendly bicycle at Curtin Heritage Living in Cottesloe. The Danish-made Velo Van Raam bike joins the existing mobility-friendly fleet of Cycling Without Age Perth, an Australian registered charity offering special bike rides to those who are unable to ride themselves. For the first time, the new addition enables people in wheelchairs to safely lock their wheelchair into place, then be taken on a pedalling joyride. "Cycling is a great way to get around when you have a climate like ours, even if you're not into lycra," Ms Chaney said. "I'm delighted that Curtin now has its own Velo wheelchair bike to make cycling more accessible to people living here." The Velo Van Raam bike was designed and built in Copenhagen and is funded through a Stronger Communities Grant received by Cycling Without Age through Ms Chaney's office. Cycling Without Age program coordinator Karen O'Connor said: "The addition of this bike to our fleet allows us to build on our goal to become inclusive to more people because many in wheelchairs are not able to enjoy the same activities as others. "We have a unique partnership with Curtin Heritage Living (CHL) whereby we share the resources of this bike and our volunteers along with their privately donated trio Trishaw bike so that we can offer rides to CHL residents and the general public." Bookings can be made for rides in Cottesloe, currently held on Wednesday mornings. The public can book rides by emailing bookings@ cyclingwithoutageperth.org.au. Residents at Curtin Heritage Living can book via their staff. Volunteers are needed to keep Cycling Without Age's programs running, with the hope of expanding the Cottesloe rides further. Anyone interested in helping can go to cyclingwithoutage.org.au/cwa-perth.