Canal Encounters cycle week celebrates new Cycling Without Age Scotland chapter.
Cycling Without Age Scotland celebrates the launch of its new Helix Chapter as part of Canal Encounters cycle week (16-22 August).
Two new trishaws funded by Communities Along The Carron Association and Falkirk Common Good Fund, will be operated by this new Chapter, the 53rd Cycling Without Age Scotland Chapter (branch) in the country. There are already five active Chapters serving the communities in Falkirk and the surrounding area.
Christine Bell, Chief Executive Officer, of Cycling Without Age Scotland said: “We are thrilled that a new Cycling Without Age Scotland Chapter is going to be operating at one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, serving both local communities and visitors from around the world. What makes it especially exciting is that this is the first Chapter in our “Trishaws in Iconic Places” campaign which we announced at our last parliamentary reception.”
Based at The Helix, home of The Kelpies, the new trishaws have been affectionately named after the horses that inspired The Kelpies, Duke and Baron.
"The Kelpies and The Falkirk Wheel are two of the most iconic assets on Scotland’s canals and we’re committed to ensuring they are accessible for everyone to enjoy.
“As safe green active travel routes, we are delighted to welcome Cycling Without Age Scotland trishaws to our towpaths as it has long been an ambition to have trishaws based on the canal network permanently.
“As safe green active travel routes, we are delighted to welcome Cycling Without Age Scotland trishaws to our towpaths as it has long been an ambition to have trishaws based on the canal network permanently.
“As we seek to continually add new experiences, such as Canal Encounters and The Wheel 2 Kelpies selfie trail, we are delighted to work with Cycling Without Age Scotland to realise the benefits of making sure that Scotland’s canals can be enjoyed by everyone for leisure and recreation purposes.”
To mark the launch a parade of trishaws, including Duke and Baron, and twenty passengers, will leave The Kelpies and follow the four mile, traffic free route, along the towpath to The Falkirk Wheel taking in the Canal Encounters Activity Trail as they go.
Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn said: “Falkirk Council has been involved in Cycling Without Age Scotland since it was launched here in Falkirk in 2017 by Communities Along the Carron Association.
“We are delighted now to see this hugely successful project being rolled out, with support from the Scottish Government, across Scotland, the only country in the worldwide Cycling Without Age movement to have received its government’s pledged support for a country-wide rollout. The Kelpies in Helix Park are iconic in our Council area and, having two trishaws named after them and operating in the park, will not only enable more of our local residents to access the site but will be of benefit to our visitors too and enhance our commitment to providing Accessible Tourism in the heart of Falkirk”.
Canal Encounters is a self-led walking, cycling, paddling, boating or wheeling trail, running along the banks of the Forth & Clyde Canals until Sunday 29th August. Connecting The Helix, Home of The Kelpies and The Falkirk Wheel, the vibrant activity trail features interactive art installations, audio guides, augmented reality hot spots and much more as part of Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21 celebrations.
Canal Encounters is supported by EventScotland through the Year of Coasts and Waters 20/21 and Scotland’s Events Recovery Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.