Technology for Ageing & Disability WA helping to provide bikes for all ages and abilities

One of Bunbury’s leading age and disability support organisations is working to ensure people of all ages and abilities have the opportunity to ride a bike with its Freedom Wheels program. Technology for Ageing & Disability WA hosted a trial day for people in the South West to try a selection of the Freedom Wheels bikes available. The bikes are uniquely customised to meet the needs of each person. The bikes and trikes are made to build confidence, independence and improvement in health. Caleb Negus attended the Come and Try day in Bunbury last week and tested one of the Freedom Wheels trikes with help from an occupational therapist. His mother, Fiona Negus, said the program allowed Caleb to join in activities with his friends. “We always wanted our son to live the best life and reach his milestones, and part of that is riding a bike,” she said. “Caleb attends a local mainstream school, and on the school holidays his friends rocked up on their bikes and asked him to come play. “Caleb wanted to, but we had no bike to get him out there, and at the time we adjusted and his friends put their bikes down and came inside to play basketball, but ever since then he has been asking for a bike.” TADWA operations manager Jayson Hitchens said the opportunity to have a customised bike for people’s specific needs revolutionised society’s understanding of disability.