On their trikes to help improve disabled access
A TRIKE business inspired by a couple’s profoundly disabled son is revving to go with an online guide helping disabled visitors get more out of their stay in Argyll.
Helen and Craig Findlay, who run Helensburgh-based Peninsula Trikes, taking people out on chauffeur-driven rides through some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery, struck on the idea after struggling to go on family days out together with their son Caleb, now 15, who has a complex form of cerebral palsy.
They will be at an event in the Corran Halls, Oban, on Friday April 27 from 11am-1pm, which is open to local businesses, community organisations and representatives from tourist destinations throughout Argyll and Bute interested in finding out more about a disabled access review website called Euan’s Guide
Argyll and Bute MSP Michael Russell and The Oban Times have teamed up with Euan’s Guide to put on the event and help Argyll businesses welcome disabled visitors.
The guide was founded in 2013 by brother and sister Euan and Kiki MacDonald after Euan became a powerchair user.
After spending hours trying to find out about disabled access at places they wanted to go, they realised their experience was not unique and that lots of others had difficulty in getting the information they needed to decide on where they visited and went on holidays.
Euan’s Guide is now a digital charity helping to open up countryside, villages, towns and cities to disabled people.
Helen and Craig are bringing Caleb to the Oban event on one of their trikes. Peninsula Trikes came about after Helen had to give up her own motorbike and Craig gave up his job to care for Caleb together. The family got so much interest when they were out and about on the roads with people wanting ‘ a shot’ of their Billy Connolly-style trike that they decided to turn it into a business – and haven’t looked back since.
‘Caleb loves it on the trike. It’s liberating. He adores the sense of freedom. Wherever there’s an okay road, we can go. It’s something fun for everyone, disabled or not,’ said Helen.
Peninsula Trikes now has two trikes and offers bespoke tours for people wanting to experience the freedom of the road. The trike trips can be short or long, travelling around the west coast of Scotland taking in the mountains, glens and lochs, and are easy to access for people with disabilities.
‘We’ve got first-hand experience through our own profoundly disabled son. We are fully insured and fully licensed to carry passengers. We know the importance of plenty of toilet stops, and we have all the harnesses to keep people safe on the trike. There are threeseats so room for a carer to come too. We can suit people’s needs, whatever they are.
‘We found it difficult to get information about places to go with Caleb, so something like Euan’s Guide can only be a good thing. It’s something we want to be a part of and to use ourselves. People with disabilities should have the same choice of things to do and places to go as those who don’t have disabilities,’ said Helen.
To register for the Oban event or for information, email Heather. Wolfe@ parliament. scot or call 0131 348 5738. Visit peninsulatrikesscotland.co.uk