Elderly residents will soon be able to take tri-shaw tours of Levengrove Park, after councillors agreed to a funding proposal.
Members last week unanimously approved a funding application from the Friends of Levengrove Park for a £19,800 grant to establish the Cycling Without Age project.
Previously, West Dunbartonshire councillors had voted to delay any decision over cost concerns, with the trishaws priced at £8400 each.
The rickshaw-style vehicle can comfortably seat two people at a time and will be driven by volunteer cyclists who will cycle residents around the park.
In particular, care home residents and people living in sheltered housing are expected to benefit from the tours.
During discussions last year Dumbarton councillor Iain McLaren of the SNP said: “It sounds like a great thing they are planning to offer.
“I have had a look on the internet for these things and they are pretty pricey pieces of kit.
“They are getting on for the price of a small hatchback.”
Those fears have now been allayed however, with the grant receiving cross-party backing during a Dumbarton Trust Committee meeting last week.
Funding will be taken from the Dumbarton Trust Fund, leaving £4931 in the community cashpot.
The programme is targeted specifically to members of the elderly community who are unable to access the park due to their age, disability, ill health or social isolation.
It will be delivered by volunteers who will cycle elderly community members around the park, and they hope to offer tours to more than 250 people every week.
In their application, Friends of Levengrove Park say: “This project is targeted specifically to our elderly community members and people of all ages with any form of limited ability, who are currently unable to access Levengrove Park due to their age, disability, ill health or social isolation.
“In particular, our elderly people in care and nursing homes and people of all ages living in sheltered housing and supported living accommodation.
“This project will be delivered by volunteers who will cycle our elderly community members around the park in a safe, all weather, custom made tri-shaw.”
They added that the activity would be beneficial to residents, reducing isolation and improving physical and mental health.
The group stated: “The impact of this project will be far reaching, enabling people to go outdoors and be more active, less isolated and will serve our participants with a very high standard of social experience.
“The benefits to the participants and volunteers physical, emotional and mental health and well-being will be considerable.
“In addition, it will enable volunteers of all ages to connect with elderly people and learn new lifelong skills and experiences.”
The new project will be delivered in partnership with Cycling Without Age, who already run successful trishaw tours in locations including Dunoon, Montrose and Comrie.
