Hi Tony and all at FB Exchange, I meant what I said to Sarah, the reporter,
I'll be getting out as much as I can now, Pat.
-----Original Message-----
From: fb-exchange-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <fb-exchange-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On
Behalf Of Tony Sweeney
Sent: Tuesday, February 20, 2024 9:29 AM
To: fb-exchange@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [fb-exchange] Facility to support cyclists with disabilities gets
backing from Cork County Council
Facility to support cyclists with disabilities gets backing from Cork County
Council SARAH HORGAN
Cork City Council is set to support the construction of a facility that
will provide communal access to bikes for cyclists with disabilities.
Mark O'Donoghue began giving people with disabilities the chance to
enjoy outdoor life several years ago by enlisting them as cycling
partners on his tandem bicycles.
The idea has since flourished into the Cycling For All initiative which
comprises a group of tandem bike pilots and passengers who meet for
regular trips in Blackrock and other parts of the city. It is hoped that
the new storage facility, accommodating adapted bicycles including
handcycles and tandem bikes, will help elevate the project to the next
level.
Mr O'Donoghue has worked with cyclists over the years living with
everything from cerebral palsy to mobility issues, Motor Neurone Disease
and MS, among other conditions.
The Glanmire man organised the erection of the structure through funding
from Cork City Council and hopes to offer the service to as many people
as possible. Members of the Cycling for All group will be able to access
the storage facility through a combination lock. Cork’s Lord Mayor
Councillor Kieran McCarthy will officially unveil the unit, which is
located on the former site of the Ursuline Convent in Blackrock, on
March 14 at midday.
The Cycling for All team will be on hand to offer trial sessions for
those considering signing up as members.
Mr O'Donoghue, who was named Cork Person of the Month last December,
credited Cycling for All pilot Gerry Collins for making their dream of
building a storage unit reality. Fine Gael councillor Des Cahill also
played a key role in bringing the project to fruition.
Pat Walsh, who is a blind cyclist and a member of the Cycling for All
team, spoke about the new lease of life this will offer people with
disabilities.
“Hopefully, we’ll all be able to cycle a bit more than we did before its
construction,” he said of the storage unit.
He praised Cycling for All for the opportunities it has given him.
“The bug has bitten me now,” “I always said I would love to try tandem
cycling and it’s great to see how the club is blossoming. The club is
full of great camaraderie and fun. It ticks all the boxes.”
The 64-year-old explained that he lost his sight to a progressive
condition 10 years ago.
“This is the most exciting thing I’ve done since waterskiing in the 90s.
I hadn’t cycled since my teens. I’ve known since the 80s that my sight
was going to go but I don’t see myself as blind when I’m with the lads.
They very much made me feel like that. You are trusting in your pilot
but at the same time we are equals. Rather than giving me back
something, it has given me something extra.
"One of the things I always wanted to do was cycle the old railway line
from Blackrock to Passage. I had the chance to do that this week so
there were great celebrations. When it pulls interests that you have
together, there is a great buzz.”
https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/munster/arid-41335306.html
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