Out and about in Inverness with Spokes For Folks community cycling group

Inverness Spokes for Folks is now one of the largest and busiest cycling affiliated community groups in the UK.

Providing opportunities for the elderly and socially isolated groups the chance to get out and about on their assisted bike rides they were forced to stop services during the pandemic due to the vulnerable nature of their service users, but are now bouncing back back.

Volunteer pilot and fundraiser Vonnie Stevenson said: “The pandemic really did help raise awareness of isolation and how important it is for vulnerable people to get out and about”.

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The group's committed volunteers can regularly be spotted around the city taking vulnerable citizens out for a spin, but as they grow the charity faces new challenges in facilitating an average of 35 trike outings per week in peak summer months, coordinating 60 volunteers and 30 organisations which use their services.

The Courier recently joined a group of volunteers as they took residents of Inverness's Ach an Eas care home out for a spin, crossing the River Ness and stopping to have a look at the Hydro Ness power project before heading to Whin Park to feed the ducks and then on into town.

Spokes for Folks is always on the lookout for additional help especially pilots.

Training is provided and anyone who has a reasonable level of fitness, is bike savvy and can spare a couple of hours a week, fortnight or month is welcome to get in touch by emailing enquiries.spokesforfolks@gmail.com

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