Innovative cycling initiative for the elderly launched at JFK Arboretum
THE unforgettable enjoyment of cycling is being made available once again to residents of care and nursing homes in County Wexford, thanks to a unique cycling initiative launched by Wexford County Council at the JFK Arboretum on Wednesday.
The Cycle without Age ‘ Right To Wind In Your Hair’ initiative is a partnership between Wexford County Council, the OPW, the JFK Trust and Integer (formerly Lake Region). Integer staff have volunteered and offered their spare time to operate the specially-designed Triobike and cycle the residents of enrolled care and nursing homes around the expansive grounds of the arboretum.
The council secured funding through the Healthy Ireland Programme for the purchase of the Triobike - a bike cycled by a volunteer cyclist, carrying two passengers in the front. The novel scheme is being piloted in the county in the arboretum, where traffic-free, wide, well-surfaced pathways combine with the park’s beautiful scenery and accessible amenities to create a comfortable and highly enjoyable experience for the residents of nursing homes who have signed up to the project.
Local nursing homes have already booked the use of the Triobike via an online booking system. The Cycling Pilots from Integer are automatically notified and attend at the appointed times to cycle their passengers in comfort and safety around the well-known visitor destination.
Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran T.D., Minister of State for the OPW and Flood Relief said, ‘I am delighted that the OPW is part of this exciting new scheme which will provide elderly members of the local community with an opportunity to enjoy the wonderful plant collection of international standing in the beautiful surroundings of the arboretum.’
Speaking at the launch, head gardener Kevin Naughton of the arboretum said there are 623 acres of parkland for cyclists and walkers to enjoy. Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, John Hegarty, said the council has launched a Wexford Age Friendly strategy, adding that it wants to make County Wexford the greatest place in Ireland to grow old in.
‘Cycling should be for everybody. It’s about enjoying the world and living in the moment,’ he said.
Cycling Officer at Wexford County Council Frank Burke said the initiative was started in Copenhagen and is being embraced across the world. He said the bike is called Nelly but will be far more comfortable for its users than the famous old bike was.
‘By taking a trip in the Triobike, these residents can once again experience that sense of energy and freedom that only cycling can bring and, of course, they can also enjoy the added dimension created by opportunity for conversation between the different generations – the pilots and the residents whom they transport.’
Cycling Without Age advocate Clara Clarke, who recommended the project to Wexford County Council, attended the launch and spoke of the difference Triobikes make in elderly people’s lives. She said just because people are elderly or mobility impaired they shouldn’t stop having fun.
Eddie Kiely of Integer said the initiative is a win win, for both the staff and for the nursing home residents availing of the Triobike.
Angela Sinnott of Cherry Grove Nursing home said she availed of the bike and found it to be a lovely experience. ‘As the pilot took off it was lovely to see the trees and flowers and to get the lovely smells. I would encourage everyone to take a ride on Nelly because it’s so enjoyable.’
Wexford County Council is hopeful that the introduction of Cycling without Age at JFK Arboretum may inspire other organisations and care homes throughout County Wexford to purchase their own Triobike and provide a similar service to the people in their care.
The JFK Arboretum Triobike is only available to care and nursing homes that have already enrolled with Wexford County Council as the Triobike must only be cycled by appropriately trained volunteer cyclists.