The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Perth cycling group can go off the beaten track thanks to new all-terrain machine
Rugged equipment was tried and tested in the Cairngorms
A Perth cycling group will be able to take its service users off the beaten track after bosses unveiled a new all-terrain machine.
Cycling Without Age has previously been using a trio of motorised tri-shaws to take elderly and disabled people out for a spin in the Fair City. They feature a padded double seat at the front for two clients, while a volunteer pedals the vehicle from behind.
The busy group had been restricted to paved surfaces but this month, welcomed the arrival of a Paratreker Trail, an all-surface wheelchair.
With two ultra-durable tyres and a smaller front wheel for steering and support, the machine has been tried and tested in the Cairngorms and has even made it to the summit of Arthur’s Seat.
The organisation’s Perth chapter has been trialling the rugged equipment, with 83-year-old Norman Ridley enjoying a successful trip through the forest at Quarry Mill Woodland Park.
Organisers hope they can capitalise on the cycling boom which has taken over cities around the world during lockdown and include people who would struggle to cycle on their own.
CEO Christine Bell said: “Tri-shaws are fantastic for what we use them to do, but they can’t go all-terrain. As soon as we found out about these, we were interested.”
Creator Gordon McGregor said: “It provides adventure to people who might not manage otherwise and it gets rid of the labels that come with being disabled.
The Cycling Without Age movement started in Denmark in 2012.
It arrived in Scotland in 2017 when the first group was launched in Falkirk.
The group has around 20 volunteers in Perth and is on the lookout for more.
To get in touch with the charity, call 01324 467272.