“It’s a bit like magic!” That’s how David, one of our volunteers, describes the effect of Cycling Without Age Rides.
“It’s such a simple idea. Yet it’s also this marvellous thing that transforms someone’s day and gives them an experience it’s difficult to get otherwise.” Pedalled by a volunteer, the Rides take two people out on a ‘sofa on wheels’ or rickshaw.
David is a recently retired GP. He worked in both York and Orkney (!) for the last 8 years. He discovered Cycling Without Age (CWA) through his brother in Denmark. As a keen cyclist himself, David thought the CWA scheme was amazing. He was involved in getting Rides started in Orkney and wanted to continue his involvement after retiring.
David got in touch with York Bike Belles who deliver CWA Rides in York. He started volunteering for us in Spring 2024. After having gone through a comprehensive training programme, he is now a volunteer pedaller on our regular Rides. David also gives talks and taster CWA Rides from St Sampsons in the centre of town, and volunteers on our Nature Rides and Walks.
David said, “This week we took two ladies out from St Sampsons who had been friends for 64 years. They were just so delighted to be pedalled around York.” David can see the benefits that CWA Rides have on people – the engagement with being outside and nature, the social connections. He added, “It’s difficult to describe to someone what they will get out of it. But then you see these magical outcomes when people experience it!”
David continued, “I wanted to volunteer, to feel like I was contributing something, but I have found volunteering for YBB really rewarding in a very surprising way.” As someone used to being outside, David wasn’t expecting the Nature Rides and Walks to have much effect on him personally. “It doesn’t sound like much, in terms of distance travelled, or time taken. Or just standing under a tree and looking. But it has real benefits.” David has been surprised to find how much he has enjoyed spending time in nature, learning about what’s around him.
Our Nature Rides and Walks encourage people to stop and pause, to connect to the natural world around them. Having been sceptical at first, David now does this in his life outside volunteering. He has found that he notices nature much more and enjoys passing on what he has learnt to others. “It has been great listening to the YBB team share their knowledge in a very accessible way. By acknowledging that they are still learning and not experts, it feels like you can do this too, that you can learn.”
David’s plan is to continue to volunteer with York Bike Belles, both on our CWA Rides and Nature Rides and Walks. Come along and say hello to him!
York Bike Belles 