7 June 2000

Bicycle built for two

After almost a year of searching and applying to funding bodies across the country Cassie Higgins of Dundee University's profound and multiple impairment service (PAMIS - a section of the University's social work department) has managed to raise around £3,000 for a special needs bike.

Thanks to donations from Healthy Dundee and Dundee Round Table No 330 among others, adults and children with profound and multiple learning difficulties will have access to the duet wheelchair tandem cycle from the spring of this year. A further £850 has already been raised towards a second bike.

The bike is to be housed at Camperdown Country Park where Dundee City Council are currently upgrading paths as part of their 'Paths for All' initiative which could become part of the national cycle route crossing the length of Britain.

Leisure services convenor Councillor Charles Farquhar: "'Paths for All' includes a programme of health walks and a bicycle hiring scheme which includes adapted bikes for people with disabilities - part of a 'Cycling for All' project to promote walking and cycling.

"Walking and cycling are activities that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in. Dundee's Green Circular is a popular route that passes through some of our city's finest landmarks such as Camperdown Country Park, the Dighty and the Waterfront."

Cassie Higgins: "The duet bike is suitable for children and adults with any degree of disability. The seat at the front has detachable supports which mean that even very small children can feel comfortable and secure when using this bike. The provision of this bike in Camperdown Country Park will mean that people with learning disabilities, as well as people with physical disabilities, can join in activities with their families and their friends.

"PAMIS works with people who have profound disabilities and our members have enjoyed using this bike very much. The bike is available for use by anyone with a disability which prevents them from using a two-wheeled cycle. There is no hire fee, but an honesty box is available at the park for contributions towards insurance and maintenance costs."

A large proportion of the work carried out by PAMIS is funded by charity. For further information contact Cassie Higgins on 344596./ends

PIC CAP: Front Graeme Banks; back (left to right) Councillor Charles Farquhar, Ian Waddle (Dundee Round Table No. 330), Nigel Brodie (White Top Centre), Tertia Waters (Access Officer, Dundee City Council), Liz McDonald (Healthy Dundee), Cassie Higgins (PAMIS), Anne Banks (Graeme's mother), and Stephen Crabtree (Landscape Architect, Dundee City Council).