Cycling Without Age (CWA) , an international programme in 41 countries, is coming to Central Otago.

It is a worldwide movement that aims to provide joy and vitality to all through the magic of bike rides.

It enables older people, or those less mobile, to get out of their homes or retirement villages and go for a ride in the fresh air, under the power of a volunteer pilot’s pedals on a specially adapted bike.

The initiative uses e-trishaws (a bike with a seat on the front) that come from Europe and cost approximately $30,000.

CWA Alexandra chapter founder June Clarke has already purchased one of these bikes.

The bike and its special seat can pass through the chicane gates comfortably. Photo: Supplied

Pictured are (from left) June, Vida and Ken on the Otago Central Rail Trail on Monday (June 23). Photo: Supplied 

Up-cycles charitable trust co-founder Chris Foggin (Foggie) said he was excited to support the idea.

“[We] have offered to support this brilliant project by training the ‘pilots’ through our COBA - Community of Bike Ambassadors programme, which will include the road code for cycling and road safety awareness, trail etiquette, e-trishaw handling skills, and the Peak Safety Outdoor First Aid training (funding dependent),” he said.

Foggie said Up-cycles would promote the CWA chapter and assist to raise awareness and advocate for access to more places. 

“We already have a trail, the Otago Central Rail Trail, which is perfect for these trips.”

“There’s a way to go [for CWA Alexandra] but that’s why I’ve said I’m going to help,” Foggie said. 

A Napier chapter of CWA launched in 2022 and has already given 1,100 passenger rides. 

Across the globe there are 3,500 chapters of the not for profit CWA, which emerged in Copenhagen in 2012.

The Alexandra chapter needs volunteer pilots, sponsors and funders to get things rolling. To get involved contact Foggie on [email protected]

Watch a trailer for a short film about CWA here, it aired recently as a part the The Big Bike Film Night around New Zealand.