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PICTURES: Billy Whizz powers into action on Black Isle as community trishaw scheme gets rolling under auspices of Cycling Without Age Scotland


By Alasdair Fraser

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Members of The Black Isle's Men Shed and Cycling Without Age at Fortrose Cathedral. Picture: James Mackenzie
Members of The Black Isle's Men Shed and Cycling Without Age at Fortrose Cathedral. Picture: James Mackenzie

A NEW community trike service bringing the freedom of the road to Black Isle villagers has been named after a fleet-footed Beano character.

‘Billy Whizz’, a trishaw capable of transporting less-mobile people around local attractions, is beginning service in Fortrose and Rosemarkie.

The comic book hero was a boy who could run extraordinarily fast, although organisers hope to leave less chaos in their wake than the cartoon character did.

During lockdown last year, Black Isle Men’s Shed (BIMS) came up with the idea of raising £18,000 to purchase two of the semi-electric, three-wheeled pedal vehicles for local residents.

The service, with 20 riders trained up for the task, will be managed by the Fortrose and Rosemarkie Chapter of Cycling Without Age Scotland (FARC). Efforts are continuing to complete fundraising and purchase a second trishaw.

In attendance at the official unveiling at Fortrose Cathedral was Christine Bell, the chief executive of Cycling Without Age Scotland (CWAS), Steve Bramwell, chairman of BIMS, and FARC chairman Alan McCaffrey.

Mr Bramwell said: “CWAS are a Scottish Government sponsored charity whose mission is to support local groups to set up and safely run mobility trike services to help reintegrate isolated people back into their communities.

“During the last lock down, a few of us from the men’s shed decided to start up an electric mobility trishaw bike service for the Fortrose and Rosemarkie area.

“We joined forces with CWAS and became a local chapter of that organisation so we could benefit from their advice, legal, insurance and maintenance support. They have been brilliant.

“We launched some fundraising events and our chairman, Alan, even cycled the equivalent of the height of Mount Everest over a 24-hour period.

“We raised enough to buy our first trike and are well on the way to getting enough to buy the second one.”

Carola Martin-Smith, Bill and Brenda Martin. Picture: James Mackenzie.
Carola Martin-Smith, Bill and Brenda Martin. Picture: James Mackenzie.

Among those taking a close interest in the project are Parklands Care Home in Fortrose, while senior Fortrose Academy pupils and teachers are working with Black Isle Cares and other local charities to ensure the organisation reaches those who can benefit most from the trishaw rides.

Mr Bramwell added: “It’s really about reducing the social isolation in often elderly, immobile folks who miss the chance to be part of the community.

“We know they feel empowered by having the option to go out for safe comfy rides to beauty spots, cafés and other places.

“They have so much to contribute to the community and to younger folk.”

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