A man sits in the front seat of a passenger Triobike, arms outstretched; A group of people laugh together in the sunshine, one holds a white cane.
“It gives me my life back.” This is how Ian, who is registered blind, describes the effect of coming on Take The Green Route! activities with York Bike Belles.
Ian worked as a racehorse trainer and breeder. When his sight deteriorated, this became more difficult, and eventually he had to stop. He moved to York with his partner Fleur about 7 months ago, as a more central base for their voluntary work that now takes up most of their time. They assess the accessibility of NHS spaces for disabled people.
Ian was first introduced to York Bike Belles and our Cycling Without Age Nature Rides at a community event at the Community Cafe at St Oswald’s in Fulford. Meeting the team, feeling ‘Trixie’ our passenger Triobike, and then going for a short introductory ride was all that Ian needed to know he wanted to do more.
“They are the nicest days I have had for years.” Ian loved going out with our volunteer pedallers on three Rides into green spaces. “Just to get outside, and then stop to smell the flowers and feel the leaves, it was great.”
In fact, he enjoyed the experience so much, he felt confident enough to then join us on our weekly Nature Walks. “I love them… it’s like a bag of potatoes coming off your shoulders!” Ian finds that he is able to relax, even though he is navigating new places.
As someone who does a lot of volunteering, he appreciates the time on the walk as time just for him. “I remember we were walking up a road and we stopped to look for the light amongst the trees, it was just amazing.”
Getting outside in nature and socialising with a friendly group gives Ian a massive lift. In his words, “it gives me something to get up for.” Going to new places and finding new things also gives him a sense of adventure. “It has given me more confidence, more than you can imagine.”
Ian is planning on coming to as many of our activities as he can. He thinks it’s such a great programme that he can’t stop talking about it to everyone he meets, so they can come along and feel the benefits too. Thank you Ian!
Two people hold a leaf between them and look at it closely; Two people sit in the passenger seat of a Triobike, one smells a rosemary stem.
York Bike Belles 