Tremona Care Home: Festive Trishaw Experience
Published date: 15/12/2021 11:03
Watford Borough Council and Watford Cycle Hub have once again re-partnered to offer festive trishaw rides to the community’s older residents.
Running throughout December, the ‘Cycling Without Age’ initiative uses specially adapted trishaw bikes to connect those no longer able to ride for themselves with their surrounding community - and, on this occasion, the town’s Christmas lights display.
Among those to be offered a pedal-powered tour was Tremona Care Home who saw residents and their loved ones experience the town in a way that only few people have. Each electric-powered bike cycled up, down and through the High Street’s decorations, concluding at the LED-lit Christmas tree at the pond at the north-most point of the town centre.
After returning from her tour, resident Marjorie commented: “It was wonderful – what an experience! It was just like cycling, but without the effort. And the lights – well done Watford.”
“Everyone knows someone elderly and everyone can appreciate how isolating old age can become, regardless of the current pandemic situation,” said Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor.
He continued: “Nothing beats witnessing the joy of […] seeing the smiles of passengers coming back from their first ride with wind in their hair, rosy cheeks and full of stories.”
‘Cycling Without Age’ – funded by Hertfordshire County Council and Watford Borough Council – is an expansion of the town’s successful ‘Lets Ride’ initiative which the council continues to run through partnerships with British Cycling and Watford Cycle Hub. The aim of both initiatives is to encourage people to be “more active, more often, through cycling” through riding groups, tours and courses for both adults and children.
“The act of two passengers sharing a trishaw […] creates new relationships and friendships, which has proven to be one of the most valuable aspects of this project,” said Kate Jenkins from Watford Cycle Hub.
For more information about Watford Cycle Hub please click here.