Trishaw begins a new chapter for Selkirk

From left, Graham Easton, councillor Caroline Cochrane, Christine Bell CEO Cycling Without Age Scotland, Jim McPherson, and councillor Gordon Edgar. Photo: Rob Gray.

Elderly and disabled people in Selkirk will now have the perfect way to discover the new paths around the Haining estate, thanks to the delivery of a new trishaw.

The innovative e-bike, which sits up to two passengers up front and is ridden by a qualified “pilot” was delivered to the Selkirk chapter of Cycling Without Age Scotland (CWAS) last Thursday.

It’s been bought through a fundraising campaign by the group, and there are plans for buying another.

The chapter's Jim McPherson told the Southern: “We are delighted to take delivery of our first trishaw and we hope to have our first pilots trained up and put through their PVG checks within the next week and then we’ll be good to go.

Pilot Jim McPherson with passengers Jim and Shiela Johnston from the EnergiseGala group, which has fundraised to provide a similar trishaw in Galashiels. Photo: Rob Gray.

"The funding for this first trishaw has come from the Selkirk Common Good Fund, and we’re indebted to them for giving us this start.

"And also, to the Hawick chapter, who showed us how they work and loaned us a couple of their trishaws to try them out here at the Haining.

“For me, the biggest impact was seeing them used in Hawick to take veterans round the Remembrance Day parade … that was really fantastic.”

The Selkirk chapter is the third in the Borders to be formed, with the others in Hawick and Peebles.

Haining Trustees Viv Ross and John Nichol with pilot Jim McPherson in front of the Haining House. Photo: Rob Gray.

The idea is that the trishaws and a pilot can be booked to take elderly or infirm people on short rides, either around the Haining loch’s new paths or on other paths in and around the town.

The group was also on hand at the town’s farmer’s market on Saturday to highlight the opportunities available for people to try out the service.

The Cycling Without Age movement started in 2012 in Denmark by Ole Kassow and Dorthe Pederson, who found a way to get elderly people out on bikes, despite their restricted movement.

They started offering free rides to the local nursing home residents … and now, there are groups in 50 other countries, including more than 50 chapters in Scotland alone.

Jim said: “The movement has really grown in the last few years, and it’s easy to see why.

"It’s just one of those things that you see once, and you know it’s a good idea.”

To use the new service in Selkirk, call 07849 451676.