Volunteers needed to pedal Clonakilty's first rickshaw

THE people behind the Clon Bike Scheme are aiming to be the first town outside of Dublin to introduce a ‘Cycling Without Age' rickshaw, and are calling on local businesses to come on board with sponsorship.

Tommy O'Donovan of Clon Bike Scheme  explained they expect the rickshaw to be operational in the town by the end of the month, saying they were also looking for volunteer pedallers to get behind the scheme designed to get older people out and about. 

 ‘It's a great initiative and we want Clonakilty to be the first rural town outside of Dublin to introduce the programme. We have purchased one rickshaw, which was expensive enough and we are hoping one or two local businesses will sponsor it.'

The two seater covered rickshaw has an electric motor, cushions, seatbelts and even a blanket and is part of a worldwide programme that began in Denmark a few years ago to get the older generation out in the open air.

‘We are also looking for volunteer cyclists to do the pedalling. Once we receive the rickshaw those volunteers will be trained up first on how to use it. We decided to get the rickshaw because we have the insurance through the Clon Bike Scheme. We also want to hear from any older people who would like to get a spin on the rickshaw.'

While the ‘Cycling Without Age' is in full swing in 28 countries worldwide it was only launched in Ireland last month when Dun Laoghaire became the first place to operate it.

In the meantime the Clon Bike Scheme is still going strong and is now expanding east as far as Bandon where a new docking station is to be installed at Kilty Cycles on the By-Pass.

• Any business in Clonakilty interested in sponsoring the ‘Cycling Without Age' rickshaw  can contact Tommy O'Donovan on 087-2924372.