New trikes will allow Spokes for Folks charity to cater for Inverness wheelchair users
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WHEELCHAIR users in Inverness will have the chance to enjoy a cycle ride around the city thanks to a special trike.
Cycling charity Spokes for Folks already takes mainly isolated and elderly people from their own homes or care homes for fun, sociable trips around the Highland capital using its fleet driven by volunteer pilots.
It is now acquiring two wheelchair-carrying cycles and called on the expertise of Grzegorz “Greg” Faryno in a test ride around the Highland capital.
Mr Faryno was a keen cyclist when he was involved in a catastrophic accident in June 2012 while cycling with a friend.
During the steep twisting descent into the city from Essich, he collided with a truck and was left paralysed.
Following a long rehabilitation, the former physiotherapist now uses a wheelchair and is a peer support worker with Spinal Injury Scotland.
The 40-year-old, of King Street, Inverness, joined Spokes For Folks pilots Mick Heath and Irene Stacey in trialling Beauty, the first of the newly-delivered trikes which are being funded by a £19,000 donation from the Highland Cross.
“It felt good to be on a bike again,” Mr Faryno said. “It was great fun and as a wheelchair user it felt secure. It felt very comfortable.”
Mr Heath explained it was not always easy to get wheelchair users in and out of the existing fleet of trikes, especially if they did not have access to a hoist, so the new vehicles would make a huge difference.
“We did a brilliant run with Greg,” he said. “Loading and unloading went really well.
“We followed a challenging route of bollards, potholes, narrow bridges, chicanes, the Victorian Market and all obstacles were overcome with flying colours.
“Beauty is really robust and so it will broaden our offering. It means we can take people on adventures on forest lanes, for example.”
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