Woodbridge Memory Bike will help elderly to get out and about

Woodbridge councillor Clare Perkins on a rickshaw earlier this year Picture: IAN LIGHTFOOT (Image: Archant)

The Woodbridge Memory Bike is the brainchild of former Woodbridge mayor Clare Perkins who wanted a way to help older residents in the town to get out and about.

The new Woodbridge memory bike will be free to ride and was unveiled at the Great British High Street Awards street party.

Ms Perkins said:“It’s great, it’s amazing because Ian has actually managed to get the marketing materials on the bike now so everybody can see what it’s for.

“It’s received an awful lot of attention and I think once we have it out and about in Woodbridge we are going to have a lot of people enjoying these rides.”

Fundraising for the project began back in July, now three months later the bike is ready and raring to go with fresh new advertising boards.

The bike has been created with the help of Ian Lightfoot from the Suffolk Rickshaw Company. Mr Lightfoot was the first person to apply for a rickshaw license in the Suffolk Coastal district and now takes paying customers up and down Felixstowe.

Mr Lightfoot said: “It’s gone well. This bike will be located in Woodbridge and has been funded from donations and support from local businesses.”

Now that the rickshaw is in place for the memory bike Ms Perkins hopes to arrange for residents in Woodbridge’s care homes to be able to get outside and enjoy what the rickshaw has to offer.

Ms Perkins said:“What’s next is to take it to the care homes for people who have a need to have a ride to feel the wind in their hair and the sun on their face and enjoy their memory ride.”