Posted by Michael Crowe on Jun 14, 2019
Cycling Without Age (CWA) is a volunteer organisation that takes elderly and less abled citizens out for free bike rides in specialised trishaws.  A group from the Port Fairy CWA pilot program visited our recent meeting and spoke about CWA  and their plans to set up the program in the town.
 
Brendan Donahoo, project leader and past Rotarian, explained how the program works and the progress that had already been made with its establishment in Port Fairy.
CWA started in Denmark in 2012.  The program has grown rapidly throughout the world and is now operating in 42 countries with more than 1,600 chapters using over 2,200 trishaws.  Over 15,000 volunteers are involved in delivering the program.
 
Port Fairy CWA is a project initiated by Leadership Great South Coast Program participants.
 
The steps towards establishing the program in Port Fairy include:
  • secure funding for two trishaw bikes, each costing $15,000 
  • set up a training package and an information package
  • promote the program and its benefits in both Port fairy and surrounding small communities
  • commence the program in Port Fairy
The first Port Fairy trishaw is due to be delivered in August.
 
Rotarian Hester Woodrup with CWA representatives Brendan Donahoo, Tafadzwa Chitava and Rachael James