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11.
February
2020.
Sheffield Optometrist volunteers for revolutionary community cycling project

Sheffield Optometrist volunteers for revolutionary community cycling project

 

An independent Sheffield optometrist has joined a new scheme to make cycling accessible to all.

 

Alex Gage is one of a team of 15 volunteer cyclists (also known as pilots) with Cycling Without Age (CWA) Sheffield who take elderly care home residents out in a cycle trishaw named "Rhubarb" around Sheffield's local parks and quiet roads.

 

Mr Gage recently took his 88 year old father and brother out for a ride in Endcliffe park: "Rhubarb is a specially adapted tri-bike (three-wheeled, e-bike) which has space for two passengers at the front and is pedal-powered by one ‘pilot'.

"Each trip starts from the care home and will take two passengers out at a time, giving them the chance to notice the seasons, see what has changed locally and to share memories. As trained pilots, we are a committed to slow safe cycling and love chatting with our passengers.

"Dad lives with dementia and it was great to see his enjoyment as we had a leisurely ride and a stop for tea. Not only did it do Dad good, but the physical and emotional benefits to me were great too, and I loved the small part that I played in giving him a little bit of independence."

 

Launched in Weston Park last year, CWA Sheffield is one of only three chapters in Yorkshire. Its Chair, Clare Rishbeth said: "We are looking to increase the number of passengers we take out in springtime, so new volunteers are very welcome!" Ms Rishbeth and the team are also hoping toapply for funding for additional trishaws so that they can work with more care homes across the city.

 

CWA was started by keen cyclistOle Kassow in Copenhagen in 2012. He wanted to help the elderly get back on their bicycles, but he had to find a solution to their limited mobility. The answer was a trishaw and he started offering free bike rides to the local nursing home residents. The initiative went from strength to strength and is now represented in 2050 locations in 47 countries and over one million people have enjoyed rides provided by 31,500 trained cycle pilots.

England has a growing number of local chapters, many of which came about through the power of social media sharing. Each local chapter is run by volunteers with the guiding principles of generosity, slowness, storytelling, relationships and without age.
 

Alex Gage Family Optometrist specialises in family care, sports vision and behavioural optometry and has practices at857 Chesterfield Road, Woodseats and48 Sandygate Road,Crosspool.

 

Ends

 

Photo:Alex Gage with his dad and brother taking a ride in Rhubarb in Endcliffe Park Alex Gage is a pilot for Cycling without Age

 

For more information or to arrange an interview with Alex Gage, please contact Tracey Baty at three60 marketing on:

 

Direct line:01430 871360

Mobile:07971 961574

E mail:traceybaty@three60marketing.co.uk

Web:www.three60marketing.co.uk

Notes to Editors

  1. Please visit www.alexgagevision.com for more information about the extensive services, including sports vision, and products that Alex and his wife, and fellow optometrist, Sarah Gage provide at their practices.
  2. For more information about Cycling Without Age Sheffield, please visit https://cyclingwithoutage.org.uk/sheffield/
  3. To learn the history of CWA, take a look at this TED talk by Ole Kassow

https://youtu.be/O6Ti4qUa-OU